Box Score MANSFIELD, Conn. – Junior first-line attacks Trevor Morrissette (Bedford, NH) and Mike Jordan (Cheshire) combined for 11 goals and five assists and freshman goalie Blake Smaldone (Hamilton, MA) made six saves for his first win in his first start as the Eastern Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team opened defense of its Little East Conference title by routing Salem State University, 21-5, Saturday afternoon at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.
Playing its first home match in a month, Eastern (3-5, 1-0 Little East) held Salem State (5-2, 0-1 Little East) to two goals over the final 46 minutes in posting its 12th victory over the Vikings in this 12-match series.
Eastern was productive on extra-man opportunities, and more efficient on man-down situations. The Warriors turned eight Salem penalties into six goals, with Jordan cashing in four times. Defensively, the Warriors' man-down unit stopped the Vikings on all ten of their extra-man tries.
Eastern racked up at least 40 shots for the third time this year. Morrissette (six goals, three assists) and Jordan (five goals, two assists) both unloaded nine shots on cage.
In playing the first half, Smaldone made six saves – four in the opening quarter – to gain his first career win. The last of four goalies to see time, sophomore Richard Squires (Norwalk) played the final 6:28 – without allowing a goal or making a save -- in his first appearance of the year.
Twelve different players contributed a goal or assist, with junior midfielder Tyler Fresen (Newington) assisting on four goals and scoring two himself. Led by senior faceoff specialist Josh Dubinisky's (Woodstock) seven ground balls, 18 different players picked up at least one. Dubinsky won 11 of 20 faceoffs.
Salem season scoring leaders Ben Melaugh and A.J. Robertson, who had combined for over 40 percent of the Vikings' points this year, were held in check throughout. Melaugh had one goal and one assist and Robertson one goal.
Eastern visits Keene State College Saturday in a Little East Conference match at 1 p.m.
