AMCATS rally to defeat cross-town rival Hawks, 15-13

Leicester, Mass.- Anna Maria junior Mike Saulnier (Wrentham, Mass.) scored four goals including the eventual game winner as the AMCATS defeated Becker College 15-13 in non-conference men's lacrosse action. After being outscored 4-2 and outshot 13-5 in the opening quarter, the AMCATS rebounded to win each of the final three frames.

Saulnier had a team-high five points on the day, adding an assist to go along with his four goals. Freshman Andrew Biscardi (Wantagh, N.Y.) earned a hat-trick, while sophomores Alex Natterstad (Upton, Mass.) and Rodrigo Henriques (Saugus, Mass.) contributed two goals apiece to the victory. Anna Maria goalie Andrew Ellis (Fitchburg, Mass.) made 13 saves while earning the win the net for the AMCATS.

Becker trailed 11-9 early in the fourth quarter before the Hawks scored unanswered goals by Jeff Petersen (Syracuse, N.Y.) and David Deschenes (Gales Ferry, Conn.), tying the game at 11. Anna Maria answered back with two consecutive goals of their own, one by Alex Natterstad and one by Mike Sullivan, giving the AMCats a 13-11 advantage. Six seconds after the Sullivan goal Becker's Jon Nessen (Levittown, Penn.) brought the Hawks within one on an assist from John Bourque (Atkinson, N.H.). With 10:43 remaining Mike Saulnier scored the game winner, giving Anna Maria their first win of the season.

Becker sophomore Joe Ignagni (Kingston, Mass.) scored a team high four goals in the loss. David Deschenes and Jeff Petersen each had a hat trick in a losing effort. Becker goalie Michael Munoz (Avon, Conn.) made eight saves in a losing effort as the Hawks fall to 0-2 on the year.

Release Courtesy of Becker Sports Information

Photo Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information