Following a disappointing loss at Boston College, the UConn men’s club Lacrosse team got back into action last Wednesday at home versus the New Hampshire Wildcats, and on the road versus Northeastern in Boston. The Huskies would enter the contest against UNH with a 3-4 record, with key wins over Buffalo and Syracuse. Meanwhile, the Wildcats would come into the contest at 7-4 overall on the year. Northeastern would sit at 12-2 before their game with the Huskies.
The Huskies’ senior night got underway, as this would be the team’s second and last time playing at home this season. The Huskies started things off on a high note, as they were amped to get this one going as they looked like they would beat UNH for the first time in several years. UConn ended up putting a three spot on the Wildcats in the first quarter. The Wildcats responded only with a goal at the end of one. The game was 3-1 Huskies. In the second, the Huskies stayed hot as the offense was firing on all cylinders. They netted three goals in the quarter as the Wildcats had no answer for their attack. However, Connecticut’s defense was shaky at times in the second as they let in two goals, but their lead was still big at the break.
The second half was all UConn again as they attacked in the third putting up a staggering six goals as they turned the game into a shootout with their opponents. New Hampshire would respond like they had before but only with three goals as the Huskies’ lead swelled to six goals. In the fourth, the teams traded goals back and forth as they were both able to put up two goals to close the game out. This final in this one was 14-8 as the Huskies tallied a key divisional win and a big victory as they looked to make the playoffs.
Jake Saldutti was the catalyst in this matchup, totaling six goals on the day to lead both teams in scoring. In addition, Jack Mclnerney had a great game on his senior day as he got three goals to go on the net. Another star of the game to mention is Ryan Whaley who had a staggering five assists in this one as he paced the Huskies offense. Harrison Slade had a decent game in goal as he had 13 saves on 21 shots marking a 61.9 save percentage. The Huskies also dominated the faceoff circle in this one as they won 12 of 19 faceoffs in the game.
The Wildcats were led by Sean Toscano and Josh Eng who both had two goals and two assists for the visitors. Goalie Jackson Seawright played well on the number of shots that he faced, saving 18 out of 32 shots marking a 56.2 save percentage.
The Huskies then got back in action following the win on Thursday versus Northeastern, who is a MCLA powerhouse in the northeast.
Thursday’s contest was a big one for the Huskies; with a win it would be huge for the squad. Connecticut got started early in this one as they put the pressure on the home side in Northeastern. The Huskies put up two goals in the first quarter as they set the tempo early. However, Northeastern would respond by getting a goal to home on Slade in the first. In the second quarter, Northeastern exploded fast to put their mark on this game and flip the score in their favor. In total, they would rattle off six goals in the frame to give them a 5-2 lead heading into the break.
The second half was another eventful one because both teams kept trading blows, however only one could come out on top as Northeastern pushed strong out the gate. They rattled off another four frames in the quarter and pushed their lead to a staggering 9-2 at the end of the third. The visitors in UConn kept going as they made some strides in the fourth quarter netting three goals however it was not enough in the end. The final in this one would be 10-5 Northeastern as they sent the road Huskies back home without a win.
“I think the last two games have taught us a lot,” said junior Rafsam Arham when asked about the two-game stretch. “At this point of the season and after battling with the number 7 team in the country, we’re all aware and bought into the fact that we know we can compete with anyone we face”.
For Connecticut, Saldutti led the way again as he paced his team with two goals on the night. Whaley also had another great game as he had three assists, and he continued to find open shots for his teammates. Freshman Haydn Forbes netted his first goal of the season in this contest. Slade played well again, however not good enough as he let in 10 goals on the night. However, the Freshman is gaining invaluable experience playing this early in his career.
For Northeastern they were led by graduate Wynton Bastian who had three goals in the contest to pace his squad. Sophomore Paddy Judge also had a nice day as he tallied two goals providing an assist. Junior Luke Lange also had two goals. In net senior Sam Bellomy had a very good game as he had 12 saves on 17 shots marking just over a 70% save percentage for Northeastern.
The Huskies will now head into the postseason, as they have drawn the Boston College Eagles, whom they lost to 10-7 earlier this season. That game will be played on April 26 at Union Point Sports Complex in Weymouth, Mass.