SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Senior Joe Cassani (Barre, VT) reached a scoring milestone and the visiting Western New England College men's lacrosse team used strong defense to take a 10-5 victory over city rival Springfield College in a battle of unbeaten Pilgrim League teams Wednesday night at Benedum Field.

The Golden Bears, ranked 18th in the USILA Division III poll, improved their record to 9-1 and remained perfect in the Pilgrim League with a 4-0 mark. The Pride falls to 5-4 after suffering its first league loss in three outings.

Springfield started strong by taking a 3-1 lead at the 6:28 mark of the opening quarter before goals by sophomore Bryan Cofrin (Londonderry, NH) and junior Zack Sondrini (Pittsfield, MA) in a 15-second span tied the contest after the first period. The Golden Bears took the lead for good when junior Adam Cherry (Westfield, MA) fired home a shot 1:47 into the second period for a 4-3 advantage.

Western New England College led 5-4 at halftime and went ahead by two when sophomore Brody Savoie (Wilbraham, MA) made a nice move past a couple of defenders and hit the back of the net with 10:32 left in the third stanza for a 6-4 advantage.

Cassani scored 36 seconds later for the 100th point of his outstanding career before the Pride cut the lead to two at 7-5 after three quarters.

Western New England College tallied three times in the final period and the defensive unit took over the game by keeping Springfield off the board for the final 19:56 of the contest. The Pride managed only two goals in the last 53:32.

Cofrin and Sondrini each finished with two goals as did sophomore Mike Kelly (Cheshire, CT). Cherry had a three-point night after assisting on the last two goals of the contest. Sophomore Jon Hayes (Waltham, MA) had the other goal for the Golden Bears.

Sophomore goalie Chris Body (Newtown, CT) compiled 18 saves in a solid performance.

Western New England College's victory avenged a pair of one-goal setbacks to Springfield a year ago, including an 8-7 decision in the Pilgrim League championship game.