PLYMOUTH, N.H. – A 10-goal first half would carry the Panthers of Plymouth State University to a 12-8 Little East Conference win over lacrosse Saturday evening at the New Hampton School.

With Saturday's loss the Beacons dropped to 4-9 overall, and 0-5 in the conference.  The win improved the Panthers record to 11-1, 5-0 in the conference.  They along with intra-state rival Keene State College remain the only two undefeated teams left in the Little East.  The two teams will meet this Tuesday, with the regular season title and number-one seed in this year's tournament on the line.

Through the first two quarters, the Panthers outscored the Beacons 10-1, but in the final two frames, UMass tried to mount a comeback as they outscored Plymouth 7-2. 

Nick Weiss (Westfield, Mass.) led the Beacons with three goals, while Now Ellis (Hingham, Mass.) picked-up a pair of tallies.  The Beacons won the face-off battle as they went 12-for-23 on the night.  Three of their eight goals also came on the man-up possession (3-6).  UMass also dominated the transition game going an impressive 14-for-22 on clear attempts. 

Between the pipes Craig Frehill (Norwell, Mass.) combined for a career-best 19 saves, but was unfortunately handed the loss, his fifth.  Phil Truong (Quincy, Mass.) won all 12 of the Beacons face-offs, and also had a team-high four ground balls, along with Codi Moreau (North Attleboro, Mass.).  Anthony Tortora (Medford, Mass.) and Moreau both finished with a team-best two caused turnovers. 

John Powers (Marshfield, Mass.) ended the loss with two of the Beacons four assists.  Scoring the lone goal for the Beacons in the first half was Weiss at 5:06 of the second.  In the third frame, the Beacons scored back-to-back goals to make it a six-goal affair.  Plymouth State would manage just one goal in the quarter. 

In the fourth the Beacons came out firing scoring another pair early in the quarter.  The Panthers did respond with their final tally of the day, but the Beacons still had plenty of time to cut into the Panthers lead.  They would score three more in less than a two-minute span, but were unable to make that final push to take control of the lead.

Lacrosse returns to action on Tuesday when they host Southern Maine at 4 p.m. at BC High School.  Prior to the start of the match the Beacons will honor their senior members.