PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Lasell College men's lacrosse team engineered a 13-5 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over Johnson & Wales University Wednesday evening at Scott's Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex.
The Lasers remained undefeated in conference play this spring (3-5 overall, 3-0 GNAC), extending their GNAC regular season unbeaten streak to 13 games dating back to 2016. The Wildcats suffered their first conference loss this season, dropping to 3-8 overall and 2-1 in GNAC games.
Lasell used a balanced offensive attack as four Lasers finished with two or more goals. Senior Austin Tomasetti (Elmsford, N.Y.) collected five points with two goals and three assists, junior Mike Susi (Gorham, Maine) tallied a team-high three goals and an assist, and senior Alex McCormack-Kuhman (Wells, Maine) and freshman Andrew Fidalgo (Wilbraham, Mass.) added two goals apiece.
It was a strong defensive effort for the Lasers as well. Reigning GNAC Goaltender of the Week sophomore Ryan Janovic (East Lyme, Conn.) stood tall between the pipes with 12 saves. Junior David Sheehan (Tewksbury, Mass.) recorded five caused turnovers for the third time this season, again tying the program record for caused turnovers in a game. Senior Travis Duhamel (Deerfield, N.H.) joined Sheehan, adding four caused turnovers.
Johnson & Wales jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but Lasell answered with three straight goals from Tomasetti, Susi and junior Ryan Madden (Hingham, Mass.) to take a 3-1 lead. Eric Russo (West Grove, PA) scored the first of two on the evening for JWU to close the gap to 3-2, but McCormack-Kuhman and junior Austin Shindoll (Denver, Colo.) each scored for Lasell to close out a five-goal first quarter.
Lasell outscored the hosts 2-1 in the second quarter on goals by McCormack-Kuhman and Fidalgo to head into the break with a 7-3 lead.
Senior Greg Klaum (Floral Park, N.Y.) sparked a four-goal rally for the Lasers to open the third quarter, extending the lead to 11-3. The teams traded goals late in the third and midway through the fourth quarter, including two goals by JWU's Brad Kretz (Sandy Hook, Conn.), but the Lasers defense suffocated any comeback attempt.
JWU goalie Bradley Morris (Bayport, N.Y.) made 15 saves for the Wildcats.
Lasell and Johnson & Wales both return to their home fields on Saturday, April 7, as the Wildcats welcome Saint Joseph's College (Maine) at 4:00 p.m. and the Lasers host cross-town rival Mount Ida College at 2:30 p.m. Lasell edged Mount Ida by one goal in both meetings last season, including the GNAC championship game.
(Story by Brian McLoughlin, Athletic Communications student assistant)
-- 30 --