Regionally ranked Golden Bears top Seahawks 16-7

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Senior captain Garrett Mullins and sophomore Max Berteletti scored four goals apiece to propel the Western New England men's lacrosse squad to a convincing 16-7 victory Wednesday evening over visiting Salve Regina in Commonwealth Coast Conference action at Golden Bear Stadium. The Golden Bears improve to 8-4 (4-0 CCC) on the season with their fifth win in a row, while the Seahawks dip to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

Nick Locicero (Lynbrook, N.Y.) paced Salve Regina with five points on two goals and three assists, Andrew Fera (Cranston, R.I.) recorded a hat trick and Zach Makoske (Shoreham, N.Y.) posted two assists.

Freshman Nick Sisoian aided in WNE's possession game with a career-high eight ground balls to lead all student-athletes. Juniors David Cedrone and Wade Modestow were solid in the face-off "X", going 11-for-15 and 7-for-12, respectively. Cedrone added six ground balls.

Western New England scored six goals--junior Mike Jednak, sophomore Justin Bard (5 points on 3 goals, 2 assists) with two, Mullins with a pair, and junior Taylor Dubose--to race to a 6-0 lead with 3 minutes and 44 seconds left in the first quarter. Fera put the Seahawks on the scoreboard with 1:18 remaining.

The Golden Bears scored seven of the next 10 goals to take a commanding 13-4 lead into the intermission. Both teams scored three goals in the second half, as Salve could not get closer than seven goals.

The Golden Bears had wide statistical advantages in ground balls (50-36), shots (44-23), shots on goal (31-11), turnovers (12-21), clears (19-for-20, 16-for-24), caused turnovers (7-1) and face-offs (18-9).

Western New England returns to conference play on Saturday (Noon) against Curry College in Milton. The Seahawks play the Nor'Easters on Saturday April 11 at 4 p.m.