The UConn men’s club lacrosse team took a trip down to Georgia for two top 20 games, in which they would play the Tennessee Volunteers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Tennessee came into their matchup with the Huskies at a record of 5-2, with key wins over JMU and Auburn. For Georgia Tech they came into the game versus Connecticut at 7-3 with key wins over Florida State and Tennessee who they beat 15-10. The Huskies would come into the weekend fresh off a win in their first game versus Bridgewater State.
In the first game versus Tennessee, the Huskies got off to a fast start as they scored back-to-back goals to set the tempo. However, this lead lasted a short time as Tennessee got going fast. They rattled off two goals to tie the game in the first and then responded with two more to close out the quarter. In the second they added on two more to push their lead to four going into the half. After the half, the Huskies came out with a bit of juice, and they were able to get two goals to go in the frame. Tennessee, just like in the first, would respond as they put up three goals to push their lead to now five. In the fourth, it was more of the same for the home squad as they racked up three more goals to push them to a commanding victory. In the end though, Tennessee would end up on top with the score 12-7.
The Volunteers were led by Mason Cain who had a monster game with three goals and three assists to total six points overall. In the win, Tommy Rudo also had two goals for the squad along with an assist. In net, Kyle Conklin was solid as he let up seven goals on 25 shots to net a 72% save percentage on the day.
For the Huskies, they were led by Jack Mclerney who slotted home three goals in the loss while providing two assists. Mason Smutney also had two goals in the loss. Both goalies got a shot in this one as Noah Lounge and Harrison Slade both played. Lounge had 13 saves on 19 shots while Slade let in six goals on ten shots.
In the second battle of the weekend, the Huskies were set to face the tougher opponent of the weekend in Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets were a very senior-heavy roster so this one would be tough for the less-experienced Huskies. Tech got out to a fast start as they rattled off six goals in the first and five in the second to start the game. They were truly dominating the possession battle as they held Connecticut to minimal scoring chances and only two goals in the first half.
In the second half the game trend continued as Georgia Tech pushed their lead further with two goals in the third and another two in the fourth. The Huskies would add one more in the third however this would show to be a disappointing day for the team overall. Tech was led by Andrew Belli, Pierce Quarles, and Joseph Rose who all had three goals in the win. Brooks Baro tossed three assists in the win also. Georgia Tech featured three goalies in the blowout, however, starter Peter Zagrobelney played well as he allowed in one goal on eight attempts. UConn goals were scored by Thomas Pino, Jake Saldutti, and Colin Hersom. Lounge allowed nine goals on fifteen shots in the loss.