Men’s Lacrosse rallies late to get CCC Quarterfinal win

Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. - The Roger Williams University Men's Lacrosse team advanced to the Commonwealth Coast Conference Semifinals with an 18-10 quarterfinal win over Wentworth Institute of Technology Saturday afternoon.

The game was tightly contested for the first three quarters, with neither team ever holding a lead greater than two. The tide turned in the fourth quarter with three quick goals putting the Hawks up by six.

Both teams opened up trading man-up goals, beginning with a score by RWU's Nick Gagnon (Milton, Mass.), followed by an answer from Wentworth's Ryan Coakley (Flemington, N.J.). Eddie Hill (Portland, Maine) regained the lead for RWU on a goal from Mike Hanna (Somers, Conn.), but the Leopards came back with three straight scores from Michael Cushera (Waltham, Mass.), Alec Paradis (Pelham, N.H.), and Nick Parent (Windham, N.H.).

The Hawks would then clamp down defensively, holding Wentworth without a score for the final four minutes of the first quarter and the first 13 minute of the second quarter. Over that stretch, RWU notched four unanswered goals by Will Siefert (Duxbury, Mass.), Doug Brown (New York, N.Y.), Hanna, and AJ Core (Syosset, N.Y.). Cushera ended the Hawk run with the final goal of the half, bringing the Leopards within one (5-6).

In the third quarter, Siefert scored three of Roger Williams' four goals in the period, with Caleb Kenney (Duxbury, Mass.) adding the additional score. Cushera and Kevin Butler (Jefferson, Mass.) tallied scores in the period to aid the Leopard cause, but RWU ultimately took a three-goal advantage into the final quarter (10-7).

The Hawks pulled away early on in the period, scoring three times in the first three minutes to double their lead. Wentworth grabbed two goals to pull back within four, but the Hawks came back with four straight goals to pull away for good and earn another trip back to the semifinals.

Luke Aubrey (Norwalk, Conn.) had 11 saves for Roger Williams in the win. Siefert led the way for RWU, tying a season high with six goals. Gagnon added five points on a goal and four assists, with Eric Valenti (North Reading, Mass.) going for a goal and two assists.

Adam Dufault (Lexington, Mass.) made 13 stops for the Leopards in the loss. Ryan Coakley and Cushera each finished three goals and an assist, while Mike Coakley (Flemington, N.J.) added a goal and three assists.

Roger Williams (13-4) heads to Western New England on Wednesday for the CCC Semifinal round, while Wentworth ends the year at 9-8.

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Players Mentioned

#32 Luke Aubrey: GK; 6' 0"; Senior

#37 Doug Brown: A; 5' 8"; Junior

#44 Nick Gagnon: MF; 6' 0"; Junior

#2 Mike Hanna: MF; 6' 0"; Senior

#6 Caleb Kenney: MF; 6' 1"; Junior

#5 Will Siefert: A; 5' 9"; Junior

#10 Eric Valenti: MF; 6' 0"; Junior

#1 AJ Core: MF; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#7 Eddie Hill: MF; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#32 Luke Aubrey
: 6' 0"; Senior
: GK

#37 Doug Brown
: 5' 8"; Junior
: A

#44 Nick Gagnon
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MF

#2 Mike Hanna
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MF

#6 Caleb Kenney
: 6' 1"; Junior
: MF

#5 Will Siefert
: 5' 9"; Junior
: A

#10 Eric Valenti
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MF

#1 AJ Core
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MF

#7 Eddie Hill
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: MF