BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott men's lacrosse team defeated MIT, 15-13, in non-conference action on a frigid Friday night at Hempstead Stadium.
Max Kesicki (Katonah, N.Y.) and Domenic Valera (Fitchburg, Mass.) tied for the game-high in goals with four apiece.
Nick Pagluiso (Shelton, Conn.) also registered a hat trick, while Thomas Barker (Needham, Mass.), Ethan Cupples (Marshfield, Mass.), Domenic Russo (Northborough, Mass.), and Nate Cuttitta (Williston, Vt.) all buried solo tallies in the win.
In goal, Tim Luciano (Westport, Conn.) made a career-high 20 saves to improve to 2-0 on the season (12-4 career).
Trailing 10-9 with 2:07 remaining in the third, Endicott outscored MIT 6-1 down the stretch to secure the victory.
Pagluiso completed his hat trick to knot the game up at 10-10 (1:38), while Valera scored back-to-back markers (3rd, :36 | 4th, 12:37) to give the Gulls the lead for good.
Kesicki (5:31, 13-11), Valera (4:18, 14-11), and Cupples (:43, 15-13) all found twine the rest of the way to thwart a comeback bid from the Engineers.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- MIT went 17-1 last season, with its only loss coming in the third round of the NCAA Tournament to eventual national champion RIT.
- The Engineers were nationally ranked as high as No. 13 in 2022.
- Endicott raced out to a 5-0 advantage over the first 12:05 of action.
- Valera produced a career-high four goals.
- Cuttitta finished with a career-high three assists and four points.
- Luciano's previous career-high for saves was 14, set against Salve Regina on 4/13/22 (win, 15-9).
- The Gulls are 6-1 all-time against MIT (winners of six straight).
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (2-0) visits No. 5 nationally ranked Union (N.Y.) on Wednesday, March 1 at 4 PM. MIT (0-1) travels to UMass Boston next Wednesday at 4 PM. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - Jonny Ratner '24)
