PURPLE KNIGHT MEN EDGED BY NINTH-RANKED MERRIMACK, 11-9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               FOR MORE INFORMATION
April 13, 2005                                                                                     Contact: Seth Cole
                                                                                                         Phone: (802) 654-2537

COLCHESTER, Vt. – Ninth ranked Merrimack College scored six of the final seven goals to rally past Saint Michael’s College, 11-9, in Northeast-10 Conference men’s lacrosse action on Wednesday at Doc Jacobs Field.

For the Warriors, freshman Chris Elia (East Lyme, Conn.) notched two goals and a game-high three assists, while sophomore Andy Teeling (Annapolis, Md.) tallied three goals. Senior Kurt Carlson (Lynn, Mass.) added two goals and one assist, while freshman Eric Tompkins (Newington, Conn.) and sophomore Tim Travers (Longmeadow, Mass.) combined for 13 saves for Merrimack (6-4, 5-1 NE-10).

For the Purple Knights, freshman Mark Agostinelli (Dedham, Mass./Xaverian) recorded a team-best three goals, while junior Brandon Kobelt (Rye, N.Y./Fordham Prep) scored twice, giving him 100 points for his career. Seniors Nick Calnen (West Hartford, Conn./Conard) and Mike Curley (West Hartford, Conn./Conard) both registered a goal and an assist, while freshman Jeff Hannon (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug Regional) turned aside eight shots as Saint Michael’s (6-3, 4-3) four-game winning streak came to an end.

After Merrimack took a 5-4 lead in an evenly-played first half, the Purple Knights scored the first four goals of the third period to open up their biggest advantage, 8-5. The Warriors, however, notched a man-down goal to cut their deficit to 8-6, and senior Mike Fidler’s (Billerica, Mass.) score with 12:22 remaining evened the score at 8-all. Calnen’s goal with 9:50 to go helped the hosts regain the lead, but Carlson’s goal just 36 seconds later tied the contest, and Elia’s second score with 4:59 remaining gave Merrimack a lead it would not relinquish.

Saint Michael’s returns to action on Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. home game versus league-rival Assumption College. Merrimack hosts non-conference foe LIU-Southampton on Saturday at 2 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY
Merrimack 1 4 2 4 --11
Saint Michael’s 1 3 4 1 --9

Saint Michael’s scoring (goals-assists): Mark Agostinelli 3-0, Brandon Kobelt 2-0, Nick Calnen 1-1, Mike Curley 1-1, Brady Boyle 1-0, Mike Boerma 1-0, Eric Libby 0-2, Ryan Lynn 0-1.

Merrimack scoring (goals-assists): Chris Elia 2-3, Andy Teeling 3-0, Kurt Carlson 2-1, Bryan Brazill 1-0, Tommy Fennel 1-0, Mike Fidler 1-0, Dennis Rugg 1-0, Wyatt Brown 0-1.

Goalie Saves
Saint Michael’s – Jeff Hannon: 8 saves (60 min.).
Merrimack – Tompkins: 8 saves (36:45), Travers: 5 saves (23:15).

Shots: Saint Michael’s 44, Merrimack 37.
Ground Balls: Saint Michael’s 45, Merrimack 38.
Face-offs: Saint Michael’s 3/23, Merrimack 20/23.

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For more information please contact the SMC Sports Information Office at (802) 654-2537
Last Revised: October 25, 2002