Beverly, Mass. – Sophomore attack Brian Estes (Derry, N.H.) scored six goals to lead nationally-ranked Endicott past visiting New England College, 18-9, in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) men’s lacrosse matchup at Endicott Stadium. The Gulls move to 9-2 on the season and remain perfect (7-0) in conference play after winning their seventh straight. The Pilgrims, who saw their seven game win streak snapped, drop to 9-4 overall and 4-2 in the TCCC.

Fellow sophomore Connor McCormack (Norwalk, Conn.) added five goals for the Blue and Green, who scored at least the first two goals in every period. Senior Jack Curtis (Chelmsford, Mass.) added a goal and four assists.

Sam Freihofner (Scarsdale, N.Y.) was one of four NEC players to record two goals. The junior added a pair of assists for a team-high four points in the setback. John Gabriel (West Nyack, N.Y.), Ben Berry (Danvers, Mass.), and Brian Gillis (North Vancouver, B.C.) each chipped in a pair of goals. 

Sam Ozycz (Cheshire, Conn.) set the tone early with a faceoff win and goal nine seconds in. Estes scored back-to-back goals 35 seconds apart a minute later to stretch the lead to 3-0.

The Pilgrims’ countered with a Freihofner unassisted tally at 12:40. Jon Thanas (Cumberland, R.I.) and McCormack put the Gulls on top 5-1 but the Pilgrims responded with two of the final three goals in the period to pull within three.

Brian Vincent (Norwalk, Conn.), Ryan Tocci (Arlington, Mass.), and Estes each scored in the second frame to give the hosts a 9-5 lead entering halftime. 

Endicott took control in the early stages of the third period by scoring four unanswered in the opening seven minutes, led by three from Estes to move his season total to 23.

New England College stayed within striking distance with a pair of late goals by Berry and senior Colin Gordon (Manchester, Mass.). 

The Gulls opened the fourth period with four straight to extend the lead to 17-7 with just under seven minutes to play. Vincent scored Endicott’s final goal thanks to an assist from senior Jeff Abbott (Hinesburg, Vt.). Freihofner and Berry connected for the day’s final goal with just under two minutes to play.

Ozycz dominated faceoffs for the Gulls, finishing 24-for-29, while senior Robert Crossett (Katonah, N.Y.) added a game-high eight ground balls for Endicott.

Endicott returns to action on Tuesday (April 12) for a top-20 showdown with the nation’s top team, Tufts University. The Gulls and Jumbos will meet under the lights at Endicott Stadium in the final regular season home game of the year.

NEC is also in action on Tuesday when it travels to Dudley, Mass. for a 4:00 pm conference matchup with Nichols.