School Records Fall as LAX Cruises Past Wheelock

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's lacrosse team cruised to a 25-2 victory over Wheelock College on Saturday afternoon.

The Mariners set school records (DIII era) for goals in a game and margin of victory and improved to 6-2 overall. Prior to this season, Mitchell had won a total of five games in its six-year history of Division III competition.

Freshman Shane Sullivan scored a career-high seven goals and added four assists to lead all scorers with 11 points. Classmate Demetre Lyras added five goals and was dominant at the face-off spot, winning 21 of 26 attempts and scooping up a game-high 10 ground balls. Junior Adam Grillo chipped in with four goals and three assists while freshman Nick Johnson netted his first career hat trick.

Zach Bushway and Kevin Kareckas each found the back of the net for the Wildcats (0-7 overall). Goalie Michael Manning faced 64 shots and finished with 17 saves.

Mitchell's defense held Wheelock scoreless over the first three quarters. The Mariners scored six goals in the opening quarter and added seven more before halftime to lead 13-0 at the break. Sullivan had five goals in the first half while Grillo added a pair. Mitchell went 1-for-2 with a man advantage in the stanza and also scored two shorthanded goals.

The Mariners led 17-0 with 12:24 to play in the game when Bushway scored a man-up goal to get the Wildcats on the board, his fourth goal of the season. Kareckas added his fifth score of the year with 5:37 to go. Freshman Peter Eshenfelder picked up the win in goal for the Mariners and finished with five saves against 14 shots.

Mitchell junior Josh Charles and freshman Vinny Berti each finished with a pair of goals, including the first collegiate goal for both. Freshman Nick Pillsbury also netted his first career goal in the contest.

Mitchell will next play at the University of Massachusetts Boston on Monday, April 11 at 3 p.m.