Men's Lacrosse Suffers 8-7 Heartbreaker at Becker

LEICESTER, Mass.—The Anna Maria College men's lacrosse team held a 5-4 lead through three quarters but was outscored 4-2 in the final frame in a heartbreaking 8-7 non-conference loss to the Hawks of Becker College on Wednesday evening.

The win boosts Becker to 3-7 on the season, while Anna Maria falls to 1-7.

AMCAT LEADERS

Freshman Ryan Rockwal (Chicopee, Mass.) scored a team-high four goals for the AMCATS who also saw a goal and an assist from both senior Alex Rezendes (Nantucket, Mass.) and freshman Zachary Bryant (Saco, Maine). Freshman Jerome Ball (Holden, Mass.) also netted the first goal of his collegiate career.

Sophomore Paul Mills (Auburn, Mass.) and freshman Nicholas Cesarski (New Fairfield, Conn.) both recorded assists on the day. Cesarski also tallied a team-best five groundballs.

BECKER LEADERS

Blake Boutiette recorded four goals, including the game-winning man-down goal, and tallied an assist for the Hawks. Avyay Chaganty contributed two goals and three assists, while Daniel Johnson clocked in with a goal and an assist.

Bryan Parsons scooped up a game-high 10 groundballs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Becker got on the board 1:19 into the game when Chaganty found Boutiette for a quick-shot near the right post. Anna Maria responded 1:02 later on an unassisted goal by Rezendes.

Johnson put the Hawks in front 2-1 when he split the AMCAT defense, scoring top shelf for his 14 marker of the season.

The Hawks extended their lead 51 seconds into the second quarter when Chaganty scored on a pass from Johnson to make it 3-1.  With 5:52 remaining in the half, Boutiette tickled the twine when he used a deke move to beat Anna Maria goaltender Paul Schwarz (Staten Island, N.Y.).

The AMCATS capitalized on a man advantage opportunity when Bryant fed Rockwal from behind the net for a quick-shot goal to make the score 4-2 at the half.

Anna Maria cut the Hawks lead to 4-3 with 10:06 remaining in the third quarter when Rockwal ripped a shot into the back of the net from ten yards out. Bryant tied the game at 4-4 with 7:59 left in the third on dish from Mills for the AMCATS third man-advantage goal of the night.  Ball netted his first collegiate goal after gathering the ball at midfield and taking it through the Hawks defense to give the AMCATS a 5-4 lead.

Becker tied the game with 2:56 into the fourth when Boutiette scored on an underhand shot on an assist from Chaganty. The Hawks took the lead back just 54 seconds later on a Matthew Genkos (Worcester, Mass.) goal. Becker extended their lead to 7-5 when Ryan Kearney (Katonah, N.Y.) connected with Chaganty for a quick-shot on the AMCATS doorstep.

Anna Maria pulled within a goal with 7:01 remaining in regulation when Rockwal tallied the hat-trick with a goal from 15 yards outs. Boutiette and Rockwal would then exchange goals for their respective teams just 11 seconds apart to make the score 8-7 in favor of Becker with 4:58 on the clock.

Parsonsa caused a turnover with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. The Hawks were able to maintain possession, holding on for the 8-7 victory.

 GOALTENDING

Jordan Mudd earned the victory after making seven saves for the Hawks, while Schwarz suffered the loss after turning away 19 shots.

WHAT'S NEXT

Both teams will begin conference action on Saturday, April 2^nd at 1:00 p.m. Becker will host Mitchell College in a rematch of the NECC championship, while Anna Maria welcomes GNAC rival Saint Joseph's College.