Men's LAX Drops Conference Opener at NEC

HENNIKER, N.H. – The Mitchell College men's lacrosse team opened conference play with a 22-7 loss to New England College on Saturday afternoon at Don Melander Field.

The Mariners fell into a 13-0 hole by the midway point in the second quarter and never recovered. NEC held a commanding 66-23 edge in total shots for the game and went 5-for-8 on man-up opportunities.

NEC improved to 3-8 overall and 1-0 in New England Collegiate Conference play. Lucas Ferreira paced the Pilgrims with eight goals while Thomas Norton and Sam Crary added four apiece.

Dominick Reposa and John Porcelli led the Mariners with two goals each. Ethan LePain chipped in a goal and supplied assists on five of Mitchell's other six tallies. Goalies Steven Turchetta and John Grieco combined for 17 saves against 39 shots on goal.

Ferreira scored four goals in the opening quarter as early penalties hurt the Mariners. The hosts picked up three scores with the man advantage and led 8-0 heading into the second period.

James Giovanniello finally put the Mariners on the scoreboard with 7:27 left in the half. Reposa tacked on his first goal just under five minutes later, and Mitchell trailed 18-2 at intermission.

The Mariners outscored the Pilgrims 5-4 in the second half but couldn't make up much ground. Reposa and LePain assisted on each other's goals in the third quarter, and Porcelli added a pair in the fourth along with a score by Aidan Messuri.

Mitchell (2-10 overall, 0-1 NECC) will next host Eastern Nazarene College on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m.