Men’s Lacrosse Comeback Falls Just Short in Season Opener

CASTINE, Maine – The Regis College men's lacrosse team continually fought back, cutting a four-goal deficit down to just one goal late in regulation, but Maine Maritime Academy was able to hold on for a 7-6 victory Saturday afternoon in a non-conference contest at Ritchie Field.

Brian Wagner (Melrose, Mass.) led the Pride with two goals and three assists, while freshman Ryan Richardson (Corona, Calif.) made an impressive collegiate debut with two goals and one assist. Jack Crater (Welcome, N.C.) paced the Regis defense with five ground balls and four caused turnovers, and goalie Nick Penta (Andover, Mass.) kept his team close with 15 saves, four ground balls, and three caused turnovers.

The match started slowly as both teams struggled to maintain possession through the first six minutes of the first quarter. Maine Maritime finally kept the ball for a while and, after a Regis penalty, took advantage of a man-up situation, as Jacob Belanger scored the first goal of the match off an assist by Zeke Tocci.

Play continued to go back-and-forth into the second quarter until Maine Maritime was called for a penalty. With seven seconds remaining in the man-up opportunity, Wagner found Richardson for Regis' first goal of the season to tie the match at 1-1.

Late in the second quarter, the Mariners gained another man-up opportunity and pressured the Pride defense, finally breaking through with 38 seconds left in the first half on a goal by Tocci with Jayden Wilson earning the assist.

Maine Maritime (2-0) quickly extended its lead after halftime, starting with a goal by Wilson less than one-and-a-half minutes into the third quarter. Sawyer Watson scored an unassisted goal to give the Mariners a 4-1 lead, and then Caden White found Evan Golembeske for another tally just 14 seconds later to increase the home team's lead to 5-1.

The Pride finally got back on track offensively later in the third quarter, first with a Wagner goal assisted by Brent Young (Feeding Hills, Mass.). Less than two minutes later, Wagner found Young for a Regis goal to bring the Pride within two, but the Mariners again struck late in the period, as Max Barton scored with 39 seconds remaining in the period to give Maine Maritime a 6-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Regis again closed to within two goals as Richardson scored his second goal of the afternoon off a Wagner assist. However, Wilson earned his second goal of the contest to bring the Mariner lead back to three at 7-4 with 6:07 left in regulation.

The Pride maintained their offensive pressure, taking four shots in a two-minute span as they attempted to rally. With 1:58 remaining on the clock, Blake Johnson (Oviedo, Fla.) set up Michael Daras (Danvers, Mass.) for his first goal of the season to bring Regis within two goals for the third time.

After an exchange of possession, Richardson set up Wagner for his second goal of the match to cut the Pride deficit to one with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Maine Maritime won the ensuing faceoff, but Brendon Donahue (Lynn, Mass.) caused a turnover and Johnson collected the ground ball, but time ran out before the Pride could attempt one final shot to tie the game.

Jed Astbury led the Mariners with six ground balls and won six of seven faceoffs, while three different Maine Maritime players caused two turnovers apiece. Garrett Ruszkowski picked up the victory in net for Maine Maritime, making 10 saves during the afternoon.

Regis College (0-1) returns to Maine next Wednesday, March 4, to take on Thomas College starting at 4 p.m. The Pride will then welcome Mitchell College in their home opener Wednesday, March 11, beginning at 7 p.m. at Regis Stadium.