Box Score Box Score
ORLANDO, Fla. – Western New England College (WNEC) scored nine second half goals to turn a four-goal halftime lead into an 11-goal victory, defeating the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s lacrosse team, 18-7, in a non-league affair. With the win, WNEC keeps its record perfect at 4-0. Rensselaer is now 2-2.
After the two teams traded the game’s first four goals, the Golden Bears opened things up and led 7-3 after the first period. RPI and WNEC matched each other with two goals apiece in the second period before Western New England outscored the Red Hawks 5-1 in the third period and 4-1 in the fourth for the final margin.
Golden Bears’ junior Adam Cherry (Westfield, MA/Westfield) led all scorers with a game-high five goals. Senior Joe Cassani (Barre, VT/Spaulding) scored three times and sophomore Bryan Cofrin (Londonderry, NH/Pinkerton Academy) added two goals and two assists. Sophomore Chris Body (Newtown, CT/Newtown) earned the win in goal with five saves, including four in the second half.
For Rensselaer, sophomore midfielder Alex MacDiarmid (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) scored twice, while senior midfielder Adam LoGiudice (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) and sophomore attack Jamie Merritt (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) notched a goal and an assist each. Junior Ryan Michels (Wilmington, DE/Brandywine) finished with 12 saves, including nine in the first half, in the loss in goal.
WNEC Scoring: Adam Cherry (5 goals, 0 assists), Joe Cassani (3-0), Bryan Cofrin (2-2), Mike Kelly (2-1), Brody Savoie (2-0), Zack Sondrini (1-1), Scott Kukis (1-0), Nick Coppola (1-0), Travis Brown (1-0).
Rensselaer Scoring: Alex MacDiarmid (2 goals, 0 assists), Adam LoGiudice (1-1), Jamie Merritt (1-1), Josh Secora (1-0), Chris Sherman (1-0), PJ McComb (1-0).
WNEC Goaltending: Chris Body (5 saves/7 GA/60:00).
Rensselaer Goaltending: Ryan Michels (12 saves/18 GA/60:00).
Shots: WNEC 40, RPI 30; Ground Balls: WNEC 47, RPI 37; Face-Offs: WNEC 14-27, RPI 13 for 27; Clears: WNEC 20 for 23, RPI 26 for 31; Extra Man: WNEC 3 for 7, RPI: 1 for 4.
