SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 23, 2022) – The Western New England men's lacrosse team took down the visiting Keene State College Owls on their home opener of the 2022 season by a final score of 12-5. Mike Bannon would lead the Golden Bears with three goals and two assists.

Records:

• Western New England: 2-0
• Keene State: 0-1

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears were dominate at the faceoff circle all afternoon long, picking up the first win at the circle of the afternoon, instantly resulting in their first goal of the game. Conor Tracy was able to clear some space and take a big shot that got past Owls goaltender Chase Chamberlin and fall into the net to give the Golden Bears an early 1-0 lead. The Owls would quickly respond when their faceoff specialist Colby Quiet found the back of the net on an unassisted marker to give the Owls their first goal of the 2022 season, evening the score at one all. Western New England would score the next three goals of the game as Dylan Hanley would pick up his first of the season on an assist from Mike Bannon, while Bannon would get one of his own just 1:33 later to give WNE a 3-1 lead. Brian Madden would close the run for the Golden Bears, scoring with just under six minutes to play in the quarter to give WNE a four-goal edge. Keene would capitalize on a man up opportunity with just over four minutes remaining to send the score to 4-2 at the end of the first quarter. Carter Randall made two saves for WNE in the quarter, while Chamberlin came through with four for KSC. WNE led in ground ball pick-ups 8-5 in the first 15 minutes of play. 

The second quarter belonged to the Golden Bears, outscoring their opponent 3-0. Matt Greer would open the scoring just 54 seconds into the quarter on a pass from Hanley to give WNE a 5-2 lead. Bannon would notch a tally with 11 minutes remaining in the quarter on an assist from Madden while a man up stretching Western New England's lead to its highest point in the game, at four goals. Madden would collect his second of the afternoon to close out the scoring for the Golden Bears, taking a 7-2 lead into the break. Randall made four saves in the second quarter as Keene State came away with five total shots in the quarter to WNE's 15. 

Just two goals were put up by the two teams in the third quarter, one for each team. Tracy would open the scoring in the quarter just 1:05 into it, sending home another unassisted tally to give Western New England an 8-2 lead. Keene's Joe Nutting would fire home a shot past Randall to give Keene their first goal since the 4:01 mark of the first quarter. Both goaltenders stood tall in the third quarter, making four saves apiece. KSC scooped six grounds balls while WNE came away with five. Western New England would dominate the faceoff circle for much of the night, going 10-14 through three quarters. 

Scoring would return in the final 15 minutes of the game as Western New England would outscore Keene State 4-2 to take the victory. Just 43 seconds into the quarter Greer would find twine on an assist from Bannon to give WNE a 9-3 lead. Western New England would score three goals in 2:44 to ice the win as Jared Newall, Joseph Contino, and Bannon would grab goals for Western New England in the final frame, sending the Golden Bears over Keene State by a final score of 12-5. Western New England grabs their fourth straight win over Keene State, with Keene's last win coming at Golden Bear Stadium back in 2017. 

Inside the Arc:

• Carter Randall came away with 16 saves on 21 shots on goal faced by the Owls. The 16 saves are a new career high for Randall.
• Mike Bannon scored three times for the Golden Bears while collecting two assists, good for a game high five points. Brian Madden (2 G, 2 A) had four points on the night while Matt Greer (2 G, 1 A) and Conor Tracy (2 G, 1 A) finished with three points each. 
• Western New England was 16-21 in the faceoff circle, with Jack Seiter leading the way for the Golden Bears, going 10-14. 
• Western New England scooped 39 ground balls and caused 14 turnovers in the win. 
• Joe Nutting scored twice for the Owls in the losing effort. KSC turned the ball over 23 teams in the loss. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England travels to Coast Guard on Saturday, February 26 at 3:00 pm. 
• Keene State heads to Nichols College on the same date for a 1:00 pm faceoff.