03/24/2009
Lacrosse Falls to UNE, 9-5

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England Nor'easters tallied the final five goals of the game to pull away from Clark University for a 9-5 non-conference men's lacrosse win Tuesday afternoon.

The Nor'easters won for the fourth straight time to improve to 4-1. Clark is now winless in six starts.

After the two teams played to a 3-3 draw in the first half, first-year Dylan Thomas (Pleasantville, N.Y.) scored less than a minute into the third period to give UNE a 4-3 lead.

The Cougars responded by tallying the next two goals -- one each by first-year Chris Johnson (Amherst, Mass.) and sophomore Danny Heelan (Avon, Conn.) -- to grab a 5-4 advantage.

Thomas evened the game at 6-all halfway through the period, then first-year Michael Pennacchio (Peabody, Mass.) notched the game-winner to close the third-period scoring with 3:01 remaining.

UNE scored three insurance goals in the fourth frame for the final margin of 9-5.

Offensively, Clark received a pair of goals and one assist from Johnson. Sophomore Tim Roche (Centerport, N.Y.) scooped up eight ground balls.

Thomas finished with two goals and three assists to lead UNE's attack. Pennacchio, sophomore Michael Woods (Kittery Point, Maine) and classmate Luke DiFiore (Gloucester, Mass.) contributed two goals apiece.

UNE held a 44-26 lead in shots and continued its strong man-down play by killing off all four Clark extra-man opportunities.

First-year goaltender Nate Porter (Cohasset, Mass.) made 11 saves for the Nor'easters.

For Clark, which will look to get into the win column Thursday at home against Nichols College, senior Tyler Campbell (Portland, Ore.) turned aside 11 shots.

Courtesy of UNE Sports Information