LAX Earns Top Seed with 13-9 Win at Regis

WESTON, Mass. - Mitchell College outscored Regis College 7-2 in the second half en route to a 13-9 victory in New England Collegiate Conference men's lacrosse action Saturday afternoon.

The win was big for the Mariners (5-7 overall, 3-0 NECC) as it secured the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the upcoming NECC Championship. For the first time in the league's short history the conference champion will be determined with a postseason tournament.

Regis (8-4 overall, 1-1 NECC) held the advantage in shots (47-25), ground balls (37-25) and turnovers (21-22) against the visitors. Mitchell overcame those deficits thanks to 20 saves in goal from JD LeMay along with four goals apiece from Dan DiGioia and Tyler Kradas. 

The Pride opened up the scoring three minutes into the contest when Alex Ferran scooped up a ground ball off a save and deked LeMay for the goal. Mitchell responded a few minutes later when Tyler Kradas netted his first of the contest by ripping a shot past Pride goalkeeper D.J. Barrile to the opposite post.

Regis scored the next two goals as Ferran grabbed a ground ball off a turnover and found Calvin Brault with a quick pass in front for a shot into the back of the cage. Andrew O'Riley added the second goal 45 seconds later by cranking back a shot from 12 yards out to give the Pride a 3-1 edge.

The Mariners tied the game back up with two goals of their own. Kradas bounced a shot in from 10 yards out before DiGioia received a behind-the-back pass that he ripped into the net. 

With two seconds left in the first quarter, Grant Nordlund converted an impressive behind-the-back shot that trickled in past the goalie to give the Pride a one-goal advantage with three periods to go.

Nicky Rodrigo gave Regis its largest lead of the game when Peter Leighton found him with a pass from behind the net. The waiting Rodrigo then ripped a shot top-shelf and put the Pride in front 5-3.

Mitchell rallied back to take its first lead of the contest with three straight goals. Kradas scored his third goal of the contest when he buried a shot top-shelf on a backside pass from Tyler Desances. DiGioia added his second goal of the half after his defender fell down and cranked home a shot. A.J. Fialkowski then put the Mariners in front 6-5 when he converted an open shot from 10 yards out.

The Crimson and Gold added two consecutive goals to head into the half with the lead. Rodrigo scored his second of the contest when the Pride were up a man, and Leighton received a quick pass from the goal line and scorched a shot top-shelf to put Regis up 7-6 at the intermission. 

Mitchell outscored the hosts 3-0 in the third stanza to go ahead for good. DiGioia and Fialkowski connected on a give-and-go that resulted in a shot by DiGioia that beat the goalie from 12 yards out to knot the score. Kradas scored his career-high fourth goal of the contest when he came from up top, drove down the lane and fired a shot from 12 yards out as the Mariners regained the lead. McCarthy Brodaski then gave Mitchell some insurance with 1:47 left in the third as he came from behind, received a quick pass from Jordan Cook and beat the keeper one-on-on for the 9-7 lead.

Regis twice cut the deficit to one goal during the final stanza thanks to scores from Jack O'Brien and Leighton, but the Mariners responded each time. Mitchell closed out the game behind goals from DiGioia, McCarthy and Cook to seal the victory.

Rodrigo scored two goals for the Pride while Leighton added two goals and an assist. Ferran scored a goal and dished out two assists while O'Brien was 10-of-16 during face-offs. Brandon Mehler was 7-of-8 at the "X" and scooped up a team-high seven ground balls.

Mitchell next travels to Merchant Marine Academy on Wednesday, April 22 at 7 p.m.