Box Score MADISON, N.J. – The Eastern Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team limited FDU-Florham to just 13 shots on goal – the lowest total on net by an opponent since the second match of the season – and emerged with a 10-7 non-conference victory which snapped a four-match losing streak Tuesday at Shields Field.
The ability to protect the ball (season-low 13 turnovers by clearing all but three of 28 attempts) and stay out of the penalty box (a season-low four flags) helped Eastern (2-5) salvage its first victory in a stretch of five straight road contests. In its previous win this year – an 11-4 home triumph over Gordon -- the Warriors allowed the Fighting Scots a season-low 12 shots on cage.
FDU-Florham (2-7) equaled its season average for goals this year in losing for the fourth time in its last five contests.
After giving up the first two goals of the match eight minutes apart, the Warriors responded with three in a row and never trailed thereafter, taking the lead for good with just under two minutes left in the first half on junior All-America midfielder Mike Devine's (Cheshire) 13th goal of the year. Senior midfielder Kevin Fechtmann (Levittown, NY) made it 5-3 with a half-minute left in the half. Junior Mike Jordan (Cheshire) assisted on both.
Clinging to a one-goal lead after FDU scored three straight and four of five in the second half, Eastern held the Devils to just one goal on eight shots in the final quarter and without a shot on goal – their three shots in that span all went wide -- over the final ten minutes. Sophomore midfielder Zach Thresher (Somers) and freshman attack Michael Dellanno (Wakefield, MA) each connected on goals in the final seven minutes to add insurance.
With four assists through the first six matches, Jordan complemented his two goals with a career-high five assists. Devine added two goals and an assist and Dellanno scored twice for the second time in two career starts.
Senior goalie Drew Deane (Vernon) won his second match of the season, turning aside six shots.
The defending Little East conference regular-season and playoff champion, Eastern opens conference play Saturday at 2 p.m. by hosting Salem State University.
