BOSTON, Mass. – Senior Jon Bota (Mahopac, N.Y.) led his team with five goals while adding three assists, as the Western New England University men's lacrosse team defeated Wentworth Institute of Technology, 20-9 in Commonwealth Coast Conference play Wednesday afternoon at Sweeney Field.
With the win the Golden Bears improve to 11-5 overall and 7-1 in CCC play. Western New England will be the number two seed in the upcoming CCC Tournament and will receive a first-round bye. The Leopards sit at 9-7 (3-5) and their playoff fate rests in the hands of the Gordon/University of New England game, scheduled for tonight.
The Golden Bears scored first with a goal from senior Garrett Mullins (Jefferson Township, N.J.) at 12:59. Wentworth took a 2-1 lead with a pair of goals, first from senior Ryan Coakley (Flemington, N.J.) at 4:55 and then senior Michael Cushera (Waltham, Mass.) with 2:54 remaining. Western New England wrapped up the first quarter scoring with sophomore Michael Censorio (Mansfield, Mass.) at 2:31 and Bota scoring in the final two minutes.
Bota scored first to start the second quarter to put the visitors up 4-2. Junior Alec Paradis (Pelham, N.H.) score three minutes in and Cushera followed up to tie the game at four. Western New England scored the next three goals, with sophomore Justin Bard (Westfield, Mass.) adding a pair. Coakley finished the first half scoring with 29 seconds remaining to make the score 7-5 at halftime. Coakley's marker gave him 79 points on the season, breaking Mark Castela's '99 mark of 78, set in 1999.
Western New England opened up the scoring in the third quarter, scoring all eight goals. Junior Taylor Dubose (Altamont, N.Y.) started the scoring, with Bota and Bard adding a pair each. The Golden Bears led 15-5 after three.
After Bota scored to start the fourth, Paradis scored back-to-back goals with his first ending a 16:29 scoreless drought for Wentworth. Coakley added a pair in the fourth, and freshman Nicholas Beauchamp (Wilbraham, Mass.) scored his first goal of the season. Wentworth was held scoreless in the final seven minutes, as the Golden Bears won 20-9.
Bard finished the day with four goals and an assist while sophomore Keegan Dudeck (Longmeadow, Mass.) scoring a goal and assisting on four others. Western New England was dominant at the X, winning 24 of 32. Junior David Cedrone (Yantic, Conn.) won 13-of-17 and picked up 10 ground balls while classmate Wade Modestow (Wilbraham, Mass.) was 11-of-15 and picked up six ground balls.
Paradis finished with three goals, three assists, and four ground balls. Coackley had four goals and an assist, while Cushera had a pair of goals.
Senior Brandon Body (Newtown, Conn.) stopped four shots in 45 minutes to earn the win while freshman Adam Dufault (Lexington, Mass.) made 10 saves for the Leopards. Western New England had a 37-25 shot advantage and a 52-26 ground ball edge.
