WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross men's lacrosse team defeated Vermont, 10-9, for the first time since the 2013 season.
Justin Lynskey and
Dean DiNanno tallied hat tricks for the Crusaders while
Jonathan Tesoro posted 11 saves.
A hot start for the Crusaders helped Holy Cross secure the victory. Goals from
Justin Lynskey and
Sean Mullaney put Holy Cross ahead in the opening 15 minutes, 2-0. Tesoro made three saves to keep the Catamounts from getting on the board.
In the second quarter, Vermont chipped their way back into the game with two goals nearly one minute apart (3-2).
Dean DiNanno stopped the Catamount scoring when he tallied his first of the day. The Crusaders outscored the Catamounts two-to-one to close out the first half with a 6-3 lead.
Vermont would not go away quietly as they closed the gap to 7-5 late in the third quarter before
Connor Waldron put some more distance into the Crusader lead, 8-5.
DiNanno put the Crusaders ahead at the 12:47 mark of the fourth quarter, 9-5. Vermont rattled off three goals to push the game within one, 9-8, with 6:56 to play. Lynskey secured the two goal lead less than thirty seconds later to keep the Catamounts at bay, 10-8. With 1:31 remaining Vermont struck a final time, 10-9.
Tesoro capped off the game with 11 saves and six ground balls.
Chris Conlin caused four turnovers to help defend the victory.
CRUSADER LEADERS:
- Sean Mullaney posted a five-point performance for the fifth time in his career, with two goals and three assists.
- Dean DiNanno added to his hat trick with an assist for four points.
- Chris Conlin posted four caused turnover and three ground balls to pace the Crusaders' defense.
- Will Spangenberg tallied two assists.
NOTES & NUMBERS:
- With the win, Jonathan Tesoro tied the all-time wins record at Holy Cross with 18.
- Holy Cross outshot Vermont, 22-20.
- Dan O'Connell won 14-of-22 faceoffs.
- The Crusaders picked up 31 ground balls and caused 15 turnovers.
UP NEXT:
Holy Cross will take on UMass Lowell on Feb. 18 at Kuzniewski Field. Opening faceoff is at 5:05 p.m.