BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Junior Michael Pennacchio (Peabody, Mass.) found the back of the cage three times to help to the University of New England pick up a 13-5 The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's lacrosse victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon at the Big Blue Turf.
With the win -- the sixth in the last seven outings -- the Nor'easters (8-7, 4-4 TCCC) continue to raise their program-best victory total on the year, which has surpassed the six wins that were recorded in each of the last two seasons.
Senior Michael Woods (Kittery Point, Maine), junior Dylan Thomas (Mount Pleasant, N.Y.), and sophomore Tyler Thomas (Mount Pleasant, N.Y.) each added two scores for Big Blue, which out-shot the Leopards, 39-29.
UNE also received a goal and an assist each from senior Luke DiFiore (Gloucester, Mass.) and freshman Dan O'Gorman (Putnam Valley, N.Y.).
On the defensive end of the field, junior goalie Nate Porter (Cohasset, Mass.) made 11 saves in just under 53 minutes of action, and classmate Chuck Dowd (Abington, Mass.) registered four caused turnovers. Together, they combined for 11 ground balls.
Wentworth was led by senior Chris Guilherme (Derry, N.H.) with two goals and an assist, while sophomore Mark Pappas (Worcester, Mass.) tallied one of each. Junior midfielder Mike Swenson (East Lyme, Conn.) put forth a solid effort in the face-off department, coming away with the win on 14 occasions.
Freshman Jeff Bathalon (Maynard, Mass.) played the initial 22 minutes in goal, posting six saves, before giving way to sophomore Matt O'Connor (Duxbury, Mass.) who turned aside eight shots in the final 38 minutes.
UNE came out ahead in each of the four quarters, putting together margins of 3-1, 4-1, 3-2, and 3-1 to bring an end to a 12-game winless streak against the Leopards (1-8, 0-8 TCCC).
The Nor'easters hit the road on Wednesday for a league tilt at New England College (3:30 p.m.), while Wentworth is back at home on Tuesday for a date with conference-unbeaten Western New England College (7 p.m.).
-Release courtesy of UNE Sports Information-
