MANSFIELD, Conn. – In 17 matches dating back to the series-opener in 2001, the Eastern Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team had never lost to the University of Southern Maine.

Facing the prospect of beginning the Little East   Conference season with two straight losses, the Warriors made sure that they extended the win streak to 18. And they did it quickly.

Taking the early initiative, Eastern (5-5, 1-1 LEC) turned to five different players to score the first six goals of the match and was never headed – allowing Southern Maine (3-6, 1-1 LEC) to put together as many as two straight goals only once in an emphatic 16-8 victory Saturday afternoon at the Mansfield Outdoor Comple

 Playing only its third home match of the year, Eastern unloaded 57 shots toward net – forcing USM keeper to make 17 saves in its second-highest shot total of the year – and amassed a +14 advantage in ground balls on the way to its highest goal total of the year.

In front of  junior goalie Chris Gorman (Shrewsbury, MA), Eastern's defense did not allow the Huskies more than a goal in any of the first three periods, taking an 11-3 lead into the final 15 minutes. Southern Maine managed five of its eight goals in the final ten minutes, when liberal substituting allowed a total of 26 Eastern players to see time.

 Ten players contributed a goal or assist, with senior attack Connor Wyllie (Somers) netting a hat trick and adding an assist and six additional players chipping in two goals each. Senior attack Matthew Rougeot (Cheshire) and senior midfielder Harrison Urda (Milford, NH) both had two goals and two assists.

Gorman evened his record at 4-4 by making 11 saves – his third straight game of at least ten – with sophomore Taylor Huta (Waterford) stopping three shots over the final three minutes in his sixth appearance of the year.

Freshman faceoff specialist Connor Hillemeir (Farmington) was 8-of-15 from the faceoff X, winning six ground balls. Sophomore Anthony Choronzy (Clinton), a member of the faceoff team, picked up four ground balls, as did Wyllie.

Eastern visits UMass Boston Saturday in a conference match at 3 p.m.