Seahawks top Bison for third straight win

DUDLEY, Mass. – The Salve Regina University men's lacrosse team defeated by Nichols College 11-5 Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at Vendetti Field.

Freshman Pat Leary collected seven points on five goals and two assists while senior Andrew Fera potted four goals for the Seahawks (8-3, 2-1 CCC), who forced 12 turnovers and won 12-of-19 face-offs.

Graduate student Reece O'Connor, senior MacKenzie Martin, junior Jack Campanale, sophomore Hugh O'Donnell, and freshman Brendan Coates each found the back of the net for the Bison (9-3, 2-2 CCC). Nichols was outscored 8-1 over the final 30 minutes and was outshot 48-33 for the game.

Nichols grabbed a 2-0 lead just 5:46 into the contest on goals by Coates and Campanale. Leary struck for two goals in a span of 19 seconds later in the opening quarter to tie the game at two before O'Conner's 23rd marker at 57 seconds gave NC a 3-2 lead after one.

Each team scored once in the second as the Bison took a 4-3 lead into the half. Ferra opened the second half with goals at 13:18 and 10:37 to give his team its first lead of the day at 5-4. Salve Regina then closed the contest by scoring six of the final seven goals – including the only three of the fourth quarter.

Senior goalkeeper Matt D'Amore recorded 12 saves for the Seahawks to earn his eighth win. Junior Brian McKinley stopped 21 shots for the Bison in defeat and led the team with four ground balls.

Today's contest marked the 20th all-time meeting between Nichols College and Salve Regina University. The win gives the Seahawks a 13-7 edge and wins in five of the last six meetings between the two schools.