THE BASICS:
 
- Score: MIT 18, Lasell University 4
 
- Records: MIT (1-0); Lasell (0-1)
 
- Location: Newton, Mass. (Grellier Field)
 
- The Lead: The MIT men's lacrosse team generated six unanswered goals in the second quarter, propelling it to an 18-4 victory over Lasell University in its season opener on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Gavin Vandenberg (Elmhurst, Ill.) tallied a career-high six goals and one assist for a career-high seven points for the Engineers.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
- Vandenberg opened the scoring almost five minutes into the game but Lasell found the back of the net with 4:45 left in the quarter. First-year Dylan Nelson (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) scored 34 seconds later while strikes by sophomore Joseph Lupo (Bedford, N.H.) and Vandenberg gave MIT a 4-1 lead.
 
- During the Engineers' pivotal 6-0 run during the second quarter, Vandenberg posted two goals and an assist as graduate-student Ryan Gebhardt (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) produced one goal and two assists. Nelson scored twice as sophomore Heath Nilsen (Carlsbad, Calif.) contributed one goal and one assist.
 
- MIT's advantage grew to 13-1 early in the third quarter courtesy of goals by Vandenberg, Nilsen, and Gebhardt. The Lasers ended their scoring drought with 6:35 on the clock. However, the Engineers rattled off five straight goals, capped by senior Logan Vawter's (Oakland, Calif.) first intercollegiate marker which was set up by first-year Dylan Beck (Yorktown, N.Y.) with 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. Lasell tacked on two goals to wrap up the scoring.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
- Nelson registered a hat-trick as junior Teddy Corcoran (Harrison, N.Y.) tallied four groundballs, two assists, and one caused turnover. First-year Nico Bowden (Concord, Mass.) posted four groundballs and two caused turnovers while classmate Matthew Sardis (Bernardsville, N.J.) collected seven groundballs and won 13 of his 20 faceoff attempts.
 
- In net, senior Lukas Drexler-Bruce (Denver, Colo.) generated 11 saves in 45 minutes of action while junior David Vapnek (San Diego, Calif.) made one save in 11 minutes. Junior Devin McCabe (New Castle, N.H.) closed out the game for MIT.
 
- The Engineers led the way in shots (56-25), shots on goal (34-16), groundballs (37-21), and face-off wins (14-10).
 
- MIT was 18-of-19 during its clearing attempts and 0-of-1 with an extra man.
 
- Lasell was 17-of-22 during its clearing attempts and went 0-of-5 during its extra man opportunities.
 
UP NEXT:
 
- MIT concludes its road trip on Saturday, Feb. 26 when it visits Curry College for a 12:00 p.m. game.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
 
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