Box Score DUDLEY, Mass.--Western New England University employed a balanced offense as 16 different Golden Bears registered at least one point in a 20-4 road victory Thursday against Nichols College in the Commonwealth Coast Conference men's lacrosse opener for both squads at Vendetti Field. Western New England evens its overall record to 4-4 while the Bison dip to 4-3 on the season.

Sophomore Justin Bard notched a game-best five points on two goals and three assists for the Golden Bears, who bolted to an 11-0 lead after the first quarter. Senior Dan McKenna added four points with a goal and three helpers, and sophomore Frank Medlicott recorded a hat trick.

Besides Bard, McKenna and Medlicott, eight more Golden Bears had a multi-point game: freshman John Clark with his first two goals in his WNE debut, junior James Kolesar (2 goals), sophomore Max Berteletti (2 goals), senior captain Garrett Mullins (2 goals), classmate Jake Fishter (2 assists), freshman Chris Stone with his first two assists, junior Taylor Dubose (1 goal, 1 assist) and sophomore Cameron Purcell (1 goal, 1 assist).

Senior Michael Bane led Nichols with his 24th goal of the season and an assist. Sophomore Dylan Baer, freshman MacKenzie Martin and classmate John Zaremski scored the other tallies for the Bison.

Western New England starting senior goalie Brandon Body got the win, making one save in 15 minutes of action. Classmate Cam Gormley played the next 30 minutes as he made three saves and gave up three goals. Junior Jimmy Chase played the final quarter in which he made one save while giving up one goal.

Not only did WNE dominate the scoreboard but it also held huge statistical advantages in shots (43-23), face-off wins (19-8), caused turnovers (6-2) and clears (13-for15, 7-for-14). Junior David Cedrone helped the Golden Bears' possession game by winning all seven of his draws at the "X" and freshman Preston Stolberg had career highs of eight wins and a .667 face-off percentage in 12 attempts.

Also getting into the scoring for WNE: junior David Novitzky (1 goal), classmate Patrick Dillon (1 goal), sophomore Ryan Dickinson (1 assist), and freshmen Dominic Marino, James Foster with their first career goals in a Royal Blue and Gold uniform.

The Golden Bears host the University of New England at 4 p.m. Saturday in their CCC home debut at Golden Bear Stadium. The Bison travel to take on conference foe Salve Regina that afternoon at 3 p.m.

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