MANSFIELD, Conn. – Despite a seven-goal fourth quarter, lacrosse fell just short as Eastern Connecticut State University managed to hang for a 13-11 decision over the Beacons Sunday afternoon at the Mansfield Athletic Complex in a Little East Conference match-up.

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 11, Eastern Connecticut State University 13

UMass Boston (4-6, 1-1 Little East Conference)
Eastern Connecticut State (4-6, 1-0 Little East Conference)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 7-4 heading into the final frame, the Warriors attack quickly extended their lead scoring three straight to open-up the fourth.  The Beacons ended their fourth quarter scoring drought with Anthony Tortora (Medford, Mass.) scoring his second of the year at 8:58 mark.

The Warriors would manage one more goal, before the Beacons erupted over the final 6:57 as they scored three unanswered goals.  Kroy Arnold (Syracuse, N.Y.), Jack Dillon (Barrington, R.I.), and Calvin Lee (Hopkinton, Mass.) all got in on the action to cut the deficit three (11-8) with 5:29 to play.

Eastern Connecticut tried to stop the surging Beacons with a quick counter goal of their own, but UMB would not be denied.  Clary Arnold (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Lee each found the back of the cage to make it 12-10 with less than three to play in regulation.

UMass would try everything in their power to continue what turned out to be a high scoring fourth quarter for both squads.  Unfortunately, the Warriors all but sealed the win with 56 seconds left, or so they thought.

Knowing that there was still plenty of time to play the Beacons made it a two-score game 23 seconds later with Tortora scoring his second of the day. 

Unfortunately, the Beacons could not pick-up the crucial face-off after the goal, as the Warriors quickly killed off the final seconds of the contest.

Lee led the Beacons attack with three goals, while Tortora and Sam Matton (Sturbridge, Mass.) each finished with a pair of tallies.  Kroy Arnold matched the team high of three points with one goal and two assists. 

Derek DiPietrantonio (Watertown, Mass.) picked-up four ground balls in the tough conference loss, while Alex Surette (Melrose, Mass.) finished with nine stops.

BY THE NUMBERS

• ECSU led the contest in shots 46-33, 22-19 in shots on goal
• Beacons went 13-for-28 at the face-off "X", with Matt Murphy winning eight face-offs
• The seven goal fourth quarter, marked the most goals in one quarter against the Warriors in the Tyler Low era.
• Beacons were 2-for-4 on man-up attempts and were 11-for-20 on clear attempts

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will travel to Keene State College next Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. conference game.