MEN’S LACROSSE: PANTHERS COOK CURRY IN HOME OPENER

John LaPierre

He/Him

Staff Writer

3/4/24

Plymouth State Men’s Lacrosse welcomed the Curry College Colonels to campus for an afternoon faceoff on Saturday, March 2nd. Coming into this game, the Panthers were 2-0 overall (0-0 in the Little Eastern Conference). Curry College was 1-3 overall (0-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference). 

The Panthers won the opening faceoff and immediately went on the attack. The Colonels struck first, however, with a goal from Brody Dalzell (#18) at 13:04. The Panthers star attackman Crosby Fay (#10) got the Panthers on the board with a nice goal at 9:35. Five minutes later, at 4:24, Alex Hawkom (#11) scored another for the Panthers. Defenseman Zach Gilvar and company were spectacular defending Curry’s offensive attack. The Panthers closed the first quarter up 2-1.  

The second quarter started with a Colonels goal from Albie Dibella (#26) at 13:44. The Panthers had many scoring opportunities but couldn’t get past the goalie. The Colonels scored again with Mac Kline (#30) at 7:45. For the first time since 4:24 in the first quarter, the Panthers got back on the board with a goal from Brady Hunt (#25). Two minutes later, Panther Matt Miner (#7) netted one home. Just before the half, PSU defenseman Joey Loeber (#21) took the ball coast to coast and scored at 1:32, giving the Panthers a 5-3 lead heading into the half.

Once again, the Colonels took the first score of the quarter, coming this time from Anthony Lewis (#15) at 14:04. Colonel Dom Cerone (#77) bullied the defender and scored at 6:20 Panther Miner tallied his second goal of the game at 5:33. Alex Ripa (#23) squeaked one past Owen McNichlos for a Curry goal at 4:13. McNichols and Curry goalie Evan Falandys both made incredible saves all game. Panther Hunt notched his second goal of the game late in the quarter with seven seconds remaining. 

The Colonels scored first once again quickly in the fourth quarter from Kline at 14:21. Panther Ryan Jones (#4) notched his first goal of the game at 6:10. Curry’s Connor Bryant (#10) scored after Plymouth committed a penalty at 2:40.

Overtime was underway after the Panthers won the faceoff and Fay tried to take it straight to the net, but his shot could not connect. Both teams had an opportunity to end the game, but both goalies stood their ground in net. 

In the second overtime, the Panthers started on attack but couldn’t score due to shot clock violation. The Colonels tried to clear the ball out of the defensive zone, but the Panthers had an incredible defensive ride and stole the ball to regain possession. Finally, at 2:02, Brady Hunt scored the game winner, which resulted in a hat trick.

“By getting together in between quarters and timeouts, re accessing the fundamentals of our game plan, and inviting ways we can score into that plan based on what has been working for us throughout the game” senior defenseman Jack Bonazzoli on how the defense stayed composed throughout the game.

The Panthers will host non-conference opponent Rivier on Wednesday at 6:00 pm. The Colonels will visit non-conference opponent Dean College Wednesday night at 6:00 pm.