Springfield, Mass. - March 26, 2022 - In a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) showdown, the Springfield College men's lacrosse team was bested by visiting MIT, 19-9, on Saturday afternoon. 

The Pride is now 3-5 on the season, while the Engineers, who are receiving votes in this week's USILA Natiopnal Poll, improved to 7-0 on the season.

MIT held a 59-43 edge in shots and controlled possesion throughout as it won 22-of-30 from the "X" en route to a 42-28 advantage in ground balls.  Gavin Vandenberg netted a game-high six goals, while Ryan Gebhardt tallied three goals and two assists. Matthew Sardis won 22 face-offs and grabbed 14 ground balls and Lukas Drexler-Bruce was credited with 15 stops.

Zac Schuette (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) had two goals and three assists in the setback and Dean Pesce (Monroe, N.Y.) made 11 stops in the final 30 minutes of action. 

Springfield started off the contest with a transition goal from Schuette off the feed from Riley Burgmeyer (Somers, Conn.) following a great defensive stand from the Pride to go up 1-0 at 12:57. From there, Springfield poured on three more unanswered goals as Patrick Watson (Franklin, Mass.) rotated the ball to Schuette, who rifled in the goal to put Springfield up 4-0 at the 6:52 mark.

A strike from Mason Nocito (Mahopac, N.Y.) was six seconds left in the first would give the Pride a 5-2 lead, only to have MIT hit their stride and outscore Springfield 8-1 in the second quarter as the visitors opened up a 10-6 halftime lead.

MIT kicked off the third quarter with four-straight goals and headed into the fourth with a 16-7 cushion that would ultimately lead to a 19-9 conference triumph.   

Springfield's next game will come on Tuesday March 29 at 5 pm on Stagg Field as it will clash with Middlebury College. 

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