Newton, Mass.- University of New England's senior Dan Leyden (Northfield, Mass.) score more than half of the Nor'easters goals en route to an 11-8 victory over Lasell College in men's lacrosse on Thursday. Despite Lasell seniors Ryan Koerner (Floral Parks, NY) and Mike Maggio's (Winchester, Mass.) combined performance of seven goals between them, the Nor'easters held off the Lasers, who finished the day at 1-4.
At the conclusion of the first quarter, the teams were evenly matched at a goal apiece. Lasell went up first with junior Brandon Keith (Marston Mills, Mass.) rounding the net to find Koerner in place to score past UNE's goalkeeper Andrew Briggs (Scituate, RI). Michchael Woods (Kittery Point, ME) returned the favor five minutes after that to end the quarter in a 1-1 stalemate.
Maggio was left alone in the start of the second to sidearm in a distance shot for Lasell at 13:45, however, Steve Smith (Walpole, Mass.) answered shortly thereafter putting an unassisted goal by Lasers' keeper Mike Kelliher (Weymouth, Mass.).
Lasell scored three more times before breaking for the half. At 11:07, Koerner took the lead back for Lasell, once again assisted by Keith, then just 11 seconds later Keith tallied his sole goal of the game after Adam Foss (Billerica, Mass.) controlled the ensuing faceoff and dished to Keith for a quick shot.
Leyden began to cut the margin with another goal in the second for UNE, leaving the scoreboard showing 5-3 at the break.
The third period proved to be the turning point for the Nor'easters who outscored the Lasers 5-1 in the quarter. Koerner struck first just 34 ticks of the clock into the quarter, yet UNE went on a run with Leyden scoring twice and Woods adding a third to tie the game with 4:08 remaining in the quarter. Woods then made the go-ahead shot with 2.56 left, and Leyden tacked on his fourth goal to close the period in the Nor'easters advantage, 8-6.
First year attackman Dylan Thomas (Pleasantville, NY) took the shot which proved to be the game-winner forty seconds into the final fifteen. Two more goals came from Leyden for add to the Nor'easter's margin, and another tally each from both Koerner and Maggio before the final buzzer sounded.
Despite the loss, Kelliher played well in net for Lasell, picking up 21 saves over the course of the game. Briggs took home 8 saves in New England's goal, as the Nor'easters finished the day with a 2-1 record.
On Saturday, March 21st, the Lasers will face-off with Skidmore College at 2:00 p.m. in Saratoga Springs, NY.