JOHNSON, Vt.
– Visiting Regis College defeated Johnson State by a score of 19-5 on Thursday afternoon in men’s lacrosse action. The Badgers drop to 0-6 overall and 0-4 in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play while Regis advances to 4-7 on the year and 0-2 in the Pilgrim League.
Johnson’s Jacob Eustis (Cumberland, Maine/ Cumberland)paced the Badgers with two goals and four shots while teammates Tanner Cross (East Montpelier, Vt. / U-32), Josh David (Johnson, Vt. / Lamoille) and Chandler Halbur (Wilmington, Vt. / Twin Valley) each supplied a goal towards the host’s effort. Ryan Belen (Northvale, N.J. / Northern Valley), Maxx Connolly (Rollinsford, N.H. / St. Thomas Aquinas) and David were crucial to the Badger’s possession game picking up 3 groundballs apiece.
For Regis, Nicky Rodgrigo lit up the goal scoring five times and assisting once for his team. Peter Leighton contributed four goals and six assists while Chris Campbell chipped in 3 goals and two helpers towards the Pride’s winning effort. Jack O’Brien, Andrew Goldberg and Matt Vogan each supplied two goals while Stephan Fortin tallied one. O’Brien also came up big for Regis, scooping 18 groundballs.
Rodrigo got the scoring started for the Pride as scored in the 11thminute unassisted for an early 1-0 lead. Halbur put Johnson on the board after a save from Zach Jerome (Waterford, Conn. / Waterford) and then a Johnson clear tying things up 1-1 with 7:53 to go in the first stanza. Eustis answered a Regis goal at 3:51 with help from Belen to tie things up again, only to be down 3-2 just two minutes later, ending the period 3-2 Regis’ advantage.
Regis used the second and third quarters to their advantage, scoring 10 goals in thirty minutes of play. The Badgers regained their offensive momentum in the fourth and final quarter with a goal from Cross at 11:41to bring the tally to 15-3, Regis. Regis answered swiftly with four more goals in seven minutes. Eustis ended the Pride’s run with help from Cross with 4:57 left in the contest. Another goal followed after cross connected with David who scored, using their man-up advantage to end the game. Despite their effort, the Badgers were unable to overcome Regis, leaving the final tally 19-5.
Goalie Morgan Ford picked up the win for Regis making 10 saves while Jerome was able to make 3 saves.
Johnson State will return to North Atlantic Conference action for a set of weekend games in Maine. On Saturday the Badgers will face Thomas College at 2:00 pm and then play at the University of Maine-Farmington on Sunday with a 12:00 pm schedule opening face-off. Regis will move on to host Clark (Mass.) on Saturday at 1:00 pm in a Pilgrim Lacrosse League tilt.
