SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—Senior
Roger Evans (Oxford, Pa.) scored the first goal of the game and notched hat-trick, but No. 20 Springfield was too strong for Gordon Men's Lacrosse in the season opener for both teams. The Pride looked like a nationally ranked team, scoring 14 straight goals between the first and third quarters on their way to a 22-5 triumph over the visiting Scots.
When Evans scored the season opening goal just two minutes and 21 seconds into the game, Gordon looked like they could hang with one of the perennial best teams in the New England region. The Fighting Scots fought off the first few waves of Springfield attacks, but the Pride settled into a groove over the final 10 minutes of the first quarter.
Goals came in waves for the Pride, scoring at least five goals in every period and doubling up with back-to-back scores several times during a long run in the middle of the game. On the other side, Gordon struggled with finding the open man in the middle of the field and ultimately led to 25 turnovers in the game.
Gordon scored twice to kick off the fourth quarter to make it a 16-4 game, but the Pride rallied off another six-goal run to put stamp on an impressive showing in the season premiere.
For the Foes- 14 different players registered a goal for the Pride
- Dylan Sheehan (Massapequa, N.Y.) led everyone with seven total points, four goals and three assists.
- Tom Hurley (Goffstown, N.H.) had a game-high four assists and also scored twice, including Springfield's first goal of the game.
- Duncan Preston (South Portland, Maine) had a hat-trick off the bench.
- Chris Santaniello (West Springfield, Mass.) had three saves in three quarters to get the victory in goal.
For the Scots- Evans had three goals on eight shots
- Ryan Utz (Rochester, N.Y.) and Nico Manganiello (Peabody, Mass.) both scored in the fourth quarter.
- Utz tied freshman Mike Dubien (Nashua, N.H.) for the most groundballs with four.
Quick Stats- Gordon failed to record an assist for the first time since a loss to Wesleyan during the 2013 season.
- Springfield's Tyler Heckmann (Brookfield, Conn.) won 80 percent of the face-offs he took in the game (16-of-20)
- The Pride outshot Gordon 61-21 in the game, 35 of which were on goal.