SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The nationally-ranked Saint Anselm College men's lacrosse team posted a first-half shutout for the third time in 2021 on the way to a convincing 17-1 victory over American International College on Wednesday.
Saint Anselm extends its winning streak to 12 games, moving to 9-0 on the year while remaining without a loss in nine Northeast-10 Conference games on the season. American International falls to 0-8 on the season.
The Hawks, ranked 11th in NCAA Division II, opened up a 16-0 lead through the game's first 52:16 before the Yellow Jackets got on the scoreboard. Saint Anselm fired 66 shots in the game, limiting the hosts to just 14 shots, and the Hawks picked up 47 of the game's 66 ground balls.
Saint Anselm has recorded its third first-half shutout of the season, accomplishing the feat against Saint Michael's (15-0) on Apr. 3 and against Assumption (13-0) on Apr. 10. The one goal allowed in the game was the lowest opposing goal total since conceding just one against Green Mountain on Feb. 24, 2007.
Senior Ryan Melley (Reading, Mass.) won 17 face-offs on the evening, picking up a program record 16 ground balls in the victory. The Hawks won 17 of the game's 21 face-offs and failed on only one of their 21 clearance attempts. AIC committed 34 turnovers through the 60-minute affair.
Senior Matt Ward (Shrewsbury, Mass.) scored four goals and two assists, leading Saint Anselm in point production. Freshman Nick Larsen (Northborough, Mass.) chipped in with four assists and senior Ryan Richards (Mendon, Mass.) matched a career-high with four goals, picking up three ground balls in the win. Senior Nick Day (North Reading, Mass.) had a career-high two caused turnovers and two ground balls in the game.
Freshman Chase Lilly (Trumbull, Conn.) also made his mark on the scoresheet, scoring the first three goals of his career. Sophomore Jon Cattabriga (Barnstable, Mass.) scored his first collegiate goal in the fourth quarter as he was set up by classmate Ethan Dolan (Littleton, Mass.) for his first career point. Sophomore Callen Willwerth (Northborough, Mass.) had two assists, a career-high figure.
Senior CJ Hart (Reading, Mass.) moved to 9-0 on the season, making one save for Saint Anselm. Junior Lance Pfeninger-Racine (Dartmouth, Mass.) came on in relief at halftime, making a career-high five saves in the win. A trio of American International goalkeepers conceded 17 goals on 37 shots, making 20 saves.
The Hawks look to extend their winning streak on Saturday, Apr. 24, traveling to Southern New Hampshire University for a 3 p.m. showdown with the Penmen.
