Slow Start Costs LAX in Season Opener at Salve Regina

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - The Mitchell College men's lacrosse team opened the 2016 season with an 11-6 setback at Salve Regina University on Tuesday afternoon.

A pair of goals in the first 1:13 of the game set the tone for Salve Regina, which never trailed and improved to 3-0 on the season. Sharp Jones scored five times and added two assists while Zach Makoske finished with two goals and a helper. 

Five Mariners potted goals on the day led by Owen LaPorte, who netted a pair of scores in his collegiate debut. Kyle Marsh also picked up his first career score while Aaron Sladyk, Dan DiGioia and McCarthy Brodaski added tallies.

The Seahawks won 17 of 20 faceoffs and collected 50 ground balls, allowing them to control possession. Jake Gonzalez won 12 of 14 faceoffs for Salve Regina. 

The Seahawks went up 2-0 early before the Mariners responded with a goal from Sladyk with 12:21 to play. Gonzalez won the ensuing draw and raced up the field, and Andrew Fera took a pass in front and finished to get the goal right back. The Seahawks added three more goals in the quarter and led 6-1 after the first quarter. 

Both of LaPorte's goals came in the second period, though Mitchell still trailed 7-3 at halftime. Salve Regina put the game out of reach by outscoring Mitchell 4-0 in the third, although the Mariners bounced back to hold a 3-0 edge in the final stanza. The Mariners actually outshot the Seahawks in the game 35-30. 

Mitchell goalie JD LeMay finished with eight saves against 19 shots. All three Seahawks goalies saw action. Matt D'Amore started the game, Nathan Lalonde played the entire third period, and Brian Farina played the final 11:31. 

Mitchell (0-1, 0-0 NECC) returns to action at Curry College on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m.