BRISTOL, R.I. - The Roger Williams University men's lacrosse team opened its Conference of New England (CNE) Tournament run with a strong start on Saturday evening, hosting No. 5 Wentworth Institute of Technology in a quarterfinal matchup at Bayside Field.

Wentworth struck first in the opening minutes, but Roger Williams quickly settled in and responded with a dominant stretch to take control of the first quarter. Reece Moore (Marblehead, Mass.) got the Hawks on the board off an assist from Ethan Mahoney (Stonington, Conn.) to even the score, before Caleb McKeown (Plymouth, Mass.) added a goal to give RWU its first lead. After the Leopards briefly tied the game, McKeown struck again on a feed from Drew LaChapelle (Andover, Mass.), sparking a four-goal run for the Hawks. Goals from Moore, Harrison Steffens (Fairfield, Conn.), and Connor Russell (West Hartford, Conn.) capped off the surge, as Roger Williams built a 6-2 lead heading into the second quarter.

The Hawks continued to build their advantage in the second quarter. McKeown opened the scoring in the period off an assist from Harrison Steffens before Carter Shelton (Castle Rock, Colo.) added another off a feed from Kyle Zirn (Derry, N.H.) to push the lead to 8-3. Wentworth responded with a pair of goals to cut into the deficit, but Connor Russell (West Hartford, Conn.) found the back of the net midway through the quarter off an assist from Steffens to keep momentum on RWU's side. The Leopards continued to apply pressure late in the half, adding multiple goals down the stretch, but Roger Williams held strong and carried a 9-6 lead into halftime.

Roger Williams maintained control early in the third, with Connor Russell (West Hartford, Conn.) adding a goal to extend the Hawks' lead. Wentworth generated heavy pressure throughout the period, with numerous shots. Wentworth eventually broke through with a goal from Tony Corrado, but the Hawks' defense held firm down the stretch, allowing Roger Williams to carry a 10-7 lead into the final frame.

The fourth quarter featured a back-and-forth battle as Wentworth mounted a late push to get back into the game. The Leopards opened the scoring in the period and continued to apply pressure, eventually tying the game at 10-10 midway through the quarter. Roger Williams answered in a key moment, as Brady Lee (Mattapoisett, Mass.) found the back of the net to regain the lead at 11-10. Wentworth continued to generate chances down the stretch, but the Hawks' defense held firm.

The Hawks held a 20-18 edge in shots on goal while both teams finished even with 18 turnovers. Roger Williams also. The Leopards held a slight advantage in ground balls (39-36).

In net, Aaron D'Aversa (Sea Cliff, N.Y.) anchored the Hawks with eight saves, including several key stops during Wentworth's second-half surge. A.J. Smith recorded nine saves for the Leopards, helping keep the game within reach throughout all four quarters.

Roger Williams (9-9, 6-3 CNE) will travel to face No. 1 Endicott on Wednesday, Apr. 29, at 7:00 pm.