BRISTOL, R.I. – It came down to the final minutes of the match, but the Roger Williams University men's lacrosse team emerged victorious against Wentworth on Wednesday with a 9-7 win on Bayside Field in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action.
Defense led the way with
Kyle Zirn (Chester, N.H.) registering six caused turnovers with nine ground balls in the contest, while
Tyler Zanini (Hopkinton, Mass.) added two caused turnovers with three ground balls.
Matt Halpin (Hanover, Mass.) and
Matt Hemmert (Braintree, Mass.) each tallied four points, with
Jack Kester (Londonderry, N.H.) and
Ryan Vendetti (Farmington, Conn.) adding three each.
Aaron D'Aversa made eight saves while allowing seven goals in the matchup.
The first quarter set the tone for the match as both teams traded goals, with Roger Williams'
Ryan Vendetti striking first at the 4:36 into the contest. Wentworth's Brendan Kroll responded swiftly, equalizing the score. However, Roger Williams quickly regained the lead with goals from Hemmert and
Brady Lee. Wentworth managed to keep pace, with Connor Charron and Tyler Longo finding the back of the net, taking a 4-3 lead. A goal by Halpin ended the opening quarter with the score at 4-4.
The intensity continued into the second quarter, with Roger Williams taking a narrow lead thanks to
Riley Spellman (Manchester, Mass.). Wentworth's Jared Hiller and Kroll kept the pressure on, as Wentworth went into the halftime break with a 6-5 advantage.
The third quarter saw a defensive battle, with only one goal scored by Wentworth's Kobi Buffa, assisted by Brendan Kroll, pushing the Leopard lead to two entering the final quarter, 7-5.
As the final quarter unfolded, Roger Williams unleashed a barrage of goals, led by Halpin and Hemmert, leveling the game with 4:32 remaining in regulation. Kester scored the eventual game winner for Roger Williams, before Hemmert potted a goal with 2:02 remaining to ice the contest.
Roger Williams (10-2, 3-0 CCC) will face Gordon on Saturday, Apr. 6 at 2:00 pm for Senior Day. The Hawks will then travel to Western New England on Tuesday, Apr. 9 before rounding out the week at Endicott on Saturday, Apr. 13.
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