Jackets Earn Beantown Sweep
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Men's Lacrosse Team traveled to Boston for two non-conference games. First, the Jackets faced the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. The teams faced off in the last game of the 2020 season before the season was cancelled. The Wildcats took that matchup coming back from a 7-2 deficit to win on the Jackets home field 13-12. The current version of the Wildcats entered the game on the heels of an upset win over conference foe Boston College and opened the game with energy and intensity.
The Wildcats opened the scoring when Zachary Keating carried through the heart of the Tech defense before slipping a shot into the net. The Jackets were undeterred as they had faced early deficits many times this season including both games the prior weekend before coming back to win. Devin Raun answered the Wildcat goal two minutes later running by his defender and scoring inside. The game was back and forth for a few minutes before Nick Eliacin got to the middle of the field and scored while drawing a penalty. On the ensuing extra man opportunity Sam Eck drew two defenders and found Devin Raun for his second goal of the day. Less than a minute later Devin Raun dodged to the middle of the field and scored again in early offense. Sam Eck then got a goal of his own dodging to the middle and firing a shot home through a trail check. The Jackets closed out the first quarter scoring when they forced a failed clear and Devin Raun scooped the ground ball and scored before the defense could get back in too give the Jackets a 6-1 lead. Between quarters the Jacket sideline was bursting with energy and eager to not let the Wildcats come back as they'd done two years before.
Brooks Baro opened the scoring in the second quarter before the game slowed down over the next several minutes with both teams locking down on defense. Asher Wagnon scored the next goal operating a two man game from the wing. The Wildcats converted an extra man opportunity shortly thereafter. The Jackets closed the first half when Asher Wagnon scored with two seconds left on the clock giving Tech a surge of momentum going into halftime.
The third quarter saw the Jackets ease their grip on the game as they let their focus wander; as a result the Wildcats had possession for the majority of the quarter. Tech's defense was up to the challenge for most of the quarter but eventually the Wildcats possession advantage took its toll and New Hampshire scored consecutive goals for the first time in the game. Defenseman Kevin Lewis brought the ball down and scored his first career goal on a bounce shot places in the top corner sending a jolt of energy through the Jackets. The Wildcats scored one more goal before the quarter ended. During the quarter break, the game was paused due to the lightning in the area.
The storm merely side swiped the area and the fourth quarter started after only a thirty minute delay. Devin Raun scored the opening goal of the fourth quarter sweeping to the middle of the field. The Wildcats scored consecutive goals again before Asher Wagnon scored his third goal of the game. New Hampshire scored once more before Nick Eliacin scored consecutive goals to close out the game as the Jackets won 14-8.
Freshman Aaron Piszczek won 16 of 24 faceoffs and added 11 ground balls. Gino Pagliaro had 17 saves and was solid in the goal all day. Kevin Lewis, Connor Koelsch, and Taylor Teasley lead the way defensively. Curran Myers, Cole Christensen, Carrington Kelsey, and Will Marshall patrolled the middle of the field. The Jackets limited New Hampshire to only 71% clearing.
The next day, the Jackets faced the undefeated and rested Northeastern Huskies. The teams met at Boston College High School on a windy but sun splashed day in sight of Dorchester Bay. Once again the Jackets found themselves down early as the Huskies drew first blood. Brooks Baro tied the game at one on the following possession. The Huskies were the more energetic and intense team early as the Jackets looked to find their footing. The host team earned the majority of the contested ground balls and as such controlled possession and the Huskies were able to take a 2-1 lead. Zach Schenken got on the board when Asher Wagnon found him cutting inside. The Huskies added another goal to take a 3-2 lead after one quarter.
The Jackets found themselves between the quarters and began to match the intensity off their opponent. Zach Schenken found a cutting Max Lucas to tie the game early in the second quarter. Zach Schenken then scored a goal of his own off a feed from Brooks Baro. Devin Raun scored in early offense capping the three goal run and putting momentum firmly on the side of the Jackets. The Huskies are a proud team and answered with a goal of their own. Brooks Baro answered the Husky goal with an unassisted tally of his own. Northeastern got a goal of their own to keep the Jackets from getting away. Sam Eck scored less than a minute later on a rocket into the top half off the cage. Northeastern would not go away and scored with 13 seconds remaining in the first half.
Both defenses found their footing in the second half as both teams were held scoreless for long stretches. Nick Eliacin scored an extra man goal on an assist from Nick Witten for the only goal of the quarter. The Jackets found their shots, but the Husky goaltender was up to the challenge time and again.
The beginning of the fourth quarter was more of the same. Sam Eck and Devin Raun played a beautiful two man game on the wing with Eck throwing the ball back to Raun who fired home a shot to give the Jackets their first three goal lead of the day. The Huskies wasted no time in answering with an extra man goal less than a minute later. Northeastern scored again two and a half minutes later to pull within one. The Northeastern huddle was brimming with confidence as the Jackets looked inward to steady themselves. Three minutes later freshman Nick Eliacin scored an unassisted goal. Just over two minutes later Brooks Baro scored after a long possession giving the Jackets a three goal lead again. Northeastern took advantage of an extra man opportunity shortly thereafter to pull back within two. Aaron Piszczek won the following faceoff and the Jackets drew two penalties. Tech drew the defense out as they tried to get the ball back and the committed another penalty and the Jackets salted the game away while up three men. Piszczek won 15 of 23 faceoffs. Gino Pagliaro had 18 saves in net. The Jackets limited the Huskies to 73% clearing handing them their first loss of the season. A big win under stressful conditions for Tech!
The Jackets now move on to the SELC playoffs and await the winner of the Georgia vs Florida State quarterfinal matchup with a bye this weekend.