Fast start fuels UNE's 13-9 win over Salve Regina

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Alex Zadworny scored two of his game-high four goals as the University of New England Nor'easters built a 5-0 lead in the first quarter on their way to a 13-8 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's lacrosse win over Salve Regina University Saturday afternoon (Apr. 8) at the Big Blue Turf.

The Nor'easters halted a brief two-game losing skid in conference play to improve to 8-4 overall (2-2 CCC). Salve Regina slipped to 7-6 overall, 1-3 in league play.

In addition to Zadworny's four markers, he added a pair of assists for a six-point afternoon. UNE received a career-high three goals from Collin Morrow and two from both Andrew Curro and Adam Race. Garett Bozek and Mitch Mullin each scored once to round out the Nor'easters' scoring total. Dan Auger handed out three assists to lead all players in that category.

Nick LoCicero scored three times for the Seahawks, who got one goal apiece from five other players.

Ahead 5-1 after one quarter and 7-4 at intermission, UNE saw its advantage whittled to one (8-7) when Salve started the third frame by scoring three of the first four goals. Race would score with nine seconds on the clock to give UNE some momentum heading into the final quarter. The Nor'easters would go on to outscore the visitors 4-1 the rest of the way.

In addition to his two goals, Race contributed seven ground balls and three caused turnovers. Matthew Layton won 10 of 12 face-offs and gathered six ground balls for UNE, while goalkeeper David Pearson earned the win with 14 saves.

Matt D'Amore stopped 13 shots for Salve Regina. He also led his squad with five ground balls.

Both teams will play conference matches on Tuesday. The Seahawks head to Beverly, Mass. to take on Endicott College, while the Nor'easters host Wentworth Institute of Technology. Both matches are slated to get underway at 7 p.m.