Men's Lacrosse Drops Season Opener to Wheaton

- PAXTON, MASS: Caparso Field held its first spring event this evening with the Anna Maria men's lacrosse team falling to Wheaton college in nonconference action.

 THE BASICS:

- Date: 2/19/2020

- Score: Wheaton 11, Anna Maria 5

- Records: Wheaton (1-0), Anna Maria (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  The Lyons jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first on goals from Mike Abramo and Lou Mainella. The AMCATS were able to find the back of the net just before the end of the quarter when Patrick McGuane (Castleton, NY) tallied his first of the 2020 season. He was assisted on the play by Garrett Strain (Granby, CT).

-  Wheaton was once again outscored the 'CATS in the second with three goals to two, to make it a 5-3 game going into the half. The Lyons started the quarter with another score from Troy Sliney, which was followed up by two unanswered AMCAT goals. Cameron Perry (Coventry, RI) made no waste of the man up opportunity and netted his first goal. Jacob Smith was able to score again for Anna Maria just 20 seconds later. After tying it up 3-3 Wheaton wouldn't allow the AMCATS to score again until the fourth quarter. The Lyons tallied six unanswered goals with two coming late in the second by Shane Ross and a second goal by Mainella.   

-  After the half Wheaton came out firing on all cylinders as they put up four more in the third while keeping Anna Maria scoreless. Sliney scored his second and third goals of the game, while Mainella accumulated his third as well.

- The Fourth consisted of two AMCAT goals and two Wheaton scores. Zion Mercado (Limerick, ME) ripped one past the Lyons goalie to bring the score to 9-4 with 12 left to play. Quinn Hannagan (South Windsor, CT) ended the scoring for the 'CATS with his first of the season.

- Wheaton's Gil Bach and Alec Morin rounded up the scoring for the Lyons to get the final of 11-5.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- Chandler Miller picked up the win after facing 18 shots and saving 14.

- Gage Garcia (Newington, CT) picked up his first loss of 2020 after seeing 27 shots and having 16 saves.

-  Sliney finished on 3 of his shot attempts for the hat trick to go along with 1 assist and 15 groundballs.

-  Lou Mainella also finished with a hat trick of 3 goals on 9 total shots.

-  Mercado finished with 1 goal and 1 assist on the night.

UP NEXT:

- Anna Maria returns to action next Wednesday as they take on Mitchell College with the first faceoff coming at 5:00 PM.

STAY CONNECTED:

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