April 24, 2008
NEWPORT, R.I. - A balanced offensive attack and strong goaltending by sophomore Eric Hagarty (Sudbury, Mass.) lifted nationally-ranked Endicott College to an 11-6 victory over Salve Regina University in The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's lacrosse action Thursday.
Hagarty, who was named the ECAC co-Goalkeeper of the week for the second straight week, finished the afternoon with 22 saves. The sophomore netminder blanked the Seahawks (5-8, 3-5 TCCC) in the opening quarter as Endicott built a 3-0 lead on goals by John Curtis (Chelmsford, Mass.), Brandon Dube (Danvers, Mass.) and Eddie O'Reilly (Beverly, Mass.). The Gulls, ranked No. 14 in the latest USILA Coaches' Poll, steadily built their lead from there.
After an extra-man goal by junior Ryan Comerford (Merrimack, N.H.) got Salve Regina on the board, Endicott (13-2, 8-0 TCCC) scored the next three goals for a 6-1 advantage. The Seahawks got one goal back when junior Nick Clark (Rye, N.H.) scored, but that was as close as Salve Regina would get.
Dube and junior Nick Cosco (Londonderry, N.H.) each finished with two goals and three assists, while O'Reilly had two goals, two assists and a game-high seven ground balls. Senior John Ortolani (Billerica, Mass.) helped the Gulls control possession by winning 16 of the 20 face-offs he took. Salve Regina goalie Brian Walker (Marshfield, Mass.) made 16 saves in the loss, and even got off a shot on net. Comerford led the Seahawks with three goals, while Clark, Chris Hoffman (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) and Phil Bellafiore (Montville, N.J.) each scored once.
Both teams play again on Saturday, April 24. Salve Regina hosts New England College (1 p.m.), while Endicott plays at Curry College (3:00 p.m.).
