LAX Comes Up Short at Dean

FRANKLIN, Mass. -- The Mitchell College men's lacrosse team returned to New England Collegiate Conference action at Dean College on Tuesday afternoon but fell by an 18-11 final at Grant Field.

Playing for the first time since March 30, the Mariners got out of the gates slowly and never recovered. Dean netted the first four goals of the contest and led 6-2 after the opening quarter.

With the win the Bulldogs improved to 7-4 overall (2-1 NECC) and secured a berth in the upcoming NECC/NAC Championship. Mitchell dropped to 3-8 overall (0-2 NECC).

Dean's Anthony Trasacco turned in an impressive day with a game-high 11 points on six goals and five assists. Brody Fredericks added six goals and one assist while Louis Piccolo chipped in five goals, his fourth game this season with five or more.

Kyle Marsh paced Mitchell with five goals and scooped up a game-high 13 ground balls. Jade Shields contributed three goals while Ethan LePain added a pair.

After the strong first quarter, things continued to trend in Dean's favor. The Bulldogs once again scored the first four goals of the second period to extend the advantage to 10-2. A pair of late goals by the Mariners trimmed the deficit to 10-4 at the break.

Marsh opened the third-quarter scoring to pull Mitchell to within 10-5, but Dean scored five of the next six goals to grab total control of the contest. Mitchell outscored the hosts 5-3 in the fourth quarter but couldn't make up the deficit.

Mitchell goalie Marcel Quinlan finished with 17 saves while Dean's Alex Govoni made 19.

Mitchell will wrap up the regular season at home against Becker College on Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m.