PAXTON, Mass. – On a day when the wind-chill factor dropped the temperature under 32 degrees, the Eastern Connecticut State University defense froze out Anna Maria College's offense, the Warriors holding the Amcats 28 minutes between their first two goals on the way to a 12-6 non-conference men's lacrosse victory Saturday afternoon.

In the first meeting between the programs, Eastern (3-3) scored the first three goals and held that margin until Anna Maria (2-2) finally broke through for its first goal with 21 seconds left in the first quarter. The Warriors moved out to a 6-1 lead before the Amcats were finally able to solve the Eastern defense again, pushing across a second goal with just under two minutes left in the first half.

Playing its fourth straight home game, Anna Maria was able to stay within striking distance thanks to the play of six-foot, 220 pound junior goalie Paul Schwarz, who made 19 stops as Eastern was able to record nearly twice as many shots (46-24) as the Amcats.

Freshman midfielder Connor Hillemeir (Farmington) won eight of nine faceoffs for the Warriors. Sophomore midfielder Anthony Choronzy (Clinton) and All-Little East Conference junior specialist Trevor Ross (Stratford), both of whom are members of the faceoff team, had six and four ground balls apiece, with Hillemeir picking up five.

Junior goalie Chris Gorman (Shrewsbury, MA), who played his high school lacrosse 15 miles from Anna Maria's Paxton, MA campus, made six saves to even his record at 2-2. Sophomore Taylor Huta (Waterford) closed out the win by making two saves.

Senior attack Matthew Rouget (Cheshire) had a goal assists and four assists for Eastern, senior midfielder Harrison Urda (Milford, NH) totaling four goals on 12 shots, with his second marker on the day giving him 50 in his four-year career. Junior attack Samuel Watson (Trumbull) added two goals and an assist and sophomore midfielder Jacob Testa (Southington) a goal and two assists.

Eastern visits Roger Williams University Tuesday at 4 p.m. in a non-conference match.