SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Visiting Western New England College played its heart out in the rain Staurday, but No. 12 Springfield College held on for an 8-7 victory in the championship game of the Pilgrim League Tournament at Benedum Field.

The Golden Bears trailed 2-0 after the first quarter, 4-3 at half-time, and 5-4 after three periods before tying the contest on a goal by sophomore Adam Cherry (Westfield, MA) with 12:03 left in the contest. The Pride then went up by two twice at 7-5 and 8-6 before freshman Kelley Luchs (Glastonbury, CT) hit the back of the net with 1:09 left in the game.

Western New England College got the ball back and called time-out with 11 seconds remaining to set up a final play, but couldn't get a shot on goal.

Cherry led the Golden Bears with two goals while senior CJ Annunciata (Waltham, MA) had a goal and two assists and freshman Brody Savoie (Wilbraham, MA) a goal and assist. Freshman goalie Chris Body (Newtown, CT) finished with eight saves.

Senior Kevin Warnock led Springfield (12-4) with two goals while Adam Cost had the game-winning goal along with two assists. Graduate student Craig Gibson also had a goal and assist. Sophomore goalie Kyle Cloutier played a key role in the win making 13 saves.

This was Western New England College's third straight one-goal loss to Springfield. The Pride took a 14-13 overtime decision on April 13 and won last year's Pilgrim League title with a 12-11 decision.

Western New England College (12-6) hopes to receive an invitation to defend its Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship.