Norton, Mass. – March 18, 2023 - In its New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener, the Springfield College men's lacrosse team clipped Wheaton,14-4, at Nordin Field on the campus of Wheaton College.

The Pride used a strong first half and excellent defensive performance to win their second straight game and improve to 2-4 on the season. The Lyons drop their fourth straight and sit at 4-4 on the year.

Mason Nocito (Mahopac, N.Y.) pumped in four goals and added one helper to lead the way on the offensive end for the Pride, while Alek Turi (Glastonbury, Conn.) contributed four goals, and Riley Burgmyer (Somers, Conn.) scored once and added three assists to balance the offensive attack for Springfield. Jack Hamilton (Falmouth, Mass.) stopped nine shots for the second straight game and Connor Roberts (Somers, Conn.) caused five turnovers on the defensive end. Steven Betsch (Port Washington, N.Y.) scooped up nine ground balls going 12-16 from the face-off "X". 

John Drew made 15 saves for the Lyons, while Shane Ross and Ethan Powers each chipped in a goal and assist. Jacob Wharton caused four turnovers in the loss for Wheaton College.

Springfield jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter dominating the face-off "X" going 4-4. With 6:53 left in the 1st, Conor Tracy (Walpole, Mass.) swept passed his man and stung a shot past the goalkeeper. Springfield would score twice more on extra-man opportunities with goals from Nocito and Turi, ending the quarter up 3-0. The Pride would continue their hot hand with three straight goals to start the second quarter. Nocito would score off a nice feed from Tracy 45 seconds into the second. Nick Savastano (South Salem, N.Y.) cleaned up a loose ball to turn in his third goal of the season at the 12:26 mark. Turi would cap the six-goal run at the ten-minute mark by running around the net and squeezing the ball past the keeper.

The Lyons would answer with two goals of their own less than 30 seconds apart making the score 6-2. Brady Soldo (Shrewsbury, Mass.) would score the first goal of his career to stop Wheaton's run and with 3:01 left in the half Nocito would find the back of the net for his third goal of the day leaving the score 8-2 going into the break.

The Pride opened up scoring in the second half after a slick move behind the cage from Burgmyer and a feed to Savastano. Springfield would capitalize on a fast break opportunity from Turi, scoring his third goal of the day with 12:10 left in the third. Wheaton would score their third goal of the game, but Tracey would answer with a smooth dodge from the top and laser into the top left corner of the net making the score 11-3 heading into the final period of play.

Wheaton would score their final goal of the day 15 seconds into the fourth on an extra-man opportunity. Goals from Burgmyer, Turi, and Nocito for the Pride would clinch its first NEWMAC win of the season including a one-handed goal from Turi off a back-hand flip from Jaiden Gaudet (Falmouth, Mass.).

Springfield will take on Amherst in a non-conference tilt on Wednesday night at 6:00 pm. 

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