Regis Men’s Lacrosse Rallies to Defeat Elms, 9-7

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Regis College overcame a slow start on both ends of the field, outscoring Elms College 8-2 over the final three periods for a 9-7 victory Wednesday night in a rainy non-conference men's collegiate lacrosse match at Leary Field.

Five minutes into the second quarter, Brendan Cook (Billerica, Mass.) earned his first goal of the night, and then Jack Jaynes (Reading, Mass.) scored less than three minutes later off an assist from Colin McGarry (Brookline, N.H.). After a man-up goal by Elms' Connor Tobin, Regis earned its own man-up tally as Anthony Marsella (Johnston, R.I.) set up Jaynes, and then Connor Deveau (Harwich, Mass.) sent a laser shot into the net 51 seconds later to close the Pride deficit to one at halftime, 6-5.

Only one goal was scored in the third quarter, as Deveau took a feed from Cook and scored with six minutes left in the period to tie the game at 6-6. Less than three minutes into the fourth quarter, Nick Klein (Buxton, Maine) scored an unassisted goal to put the Pride ahead for good, 7-6.

Elms seemingly tied the contest with eight minutes left in regulation but was called for a crease violation, and Regis raced down the field and extended its lead to 8-6 on a goal by Cook with Klein earning the assist. Cook scored again just over one minute later for more insurance before Elms' Jesse Hagen picked up a goal to bring the Blazers within two goals, but that would be as close as they would get.

Cook earned his second hat trick in as many games as he finished with three goals and two assists, while Deveau and Jaynes collected two goals apiece. In his hometown, Devin Hammon (Chicopee, Mass.) ended up with a career-high 16 saves, including seven saves in the final 15 minutes to hold off the Blazer attack, and Dylan Slichko (Wynantskill, N.Y.) paced the team defensively with four groundballs and three caused turnovers.

Elms (1-1) took control at the start of the match, scoring four straight goals within the opening eight-and-a-half minutes, including back-to-back goals by Luciano Jordan Canino. The Pride finally broke through with 4:56 remaining in the opening quarter on a goal by Marsella, but the Blazers won the ensuing faceoff thanks to a groundball pickup by Cam Gillis and a pass to Canino, who found Tosh Marshall to reestablish a four-goal advantage at 5-1 heading into the second period.

Gillis led all players with seven groundballs, while Connor Burke finished with five groundballs and four caused turnovers for the Blazers. Casey Dmochowski collected 15 saves in net for Elms.

Regis College (2-0) concludes its season-opening three-match road swing at Salem State Saturday, March 9, starting at 12 p.m. The Pride host the University of Saint Joseph in their home and conference opener next Wednesday, March 13, beginning at 6 p.m.