THE BASICS:
 
- Score: MIT 23, Clark University 9
 
- Records: MIT (6-0, 1-0 NEWMAC); Clark (0-5, 0-1 NEWMAC)
 
- Location: Cambridge, Mass. (Roberts Field at Steinbrenner Stadium)
 
- The Lead: After conceding the opening goal, a series of runs helped MIT capture a 23-9 victory over Clark University in the first NEWMAC men's lacrosse game of the season for both teams. Graduate student Ryan Gebhardt (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) tallied nine goals, tying the program record for the second game in a row, and added an assist for the Engineers. Benjamin Hollerbach and Matt Wells both produced a team-high four points for the Cougars as Hollerbach had four goals while Wells totaled one goal and three assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
- Hollerbach opened the scoring just over four minutes into the game but MIT rattled off five straight goals to go ahead for good. Gebhardt found the back of the net four times while senior Gavin Vandenberg (Elmhurst, Ill.) connected on a pass from first-year Ethan Robertson (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) for a man-up goal.
 
- Sophomore Heath Nilsen (Carlsbad, Calif.) increased the Engineers' lead just under three minutes into the second stanza. However, Hollerbach recorded back-to-back goals, narrowing the gap to 6-3 at the 5:41 mark. MIT generated another 5-0 run as Gebhardt scored four times while senior Andy Shin (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) also added an unassisted blast. A solo effort by Hollerbach broke up the rally but the Engineers' advantage grew to 12-4 with 1.3 seconds left in the frame. Deep in MIT's defensive end, first-year Nico Bowden (Concord, Mass.) launched the ball down the field and it was caught by Vandenberg right in front of the crease who quickly shot it past Clark goalie Ryan Mickelson.
 
- The Engineers controlled the action in the third quarter as they outscored the Cougars, 7-1, resulting in a 19-5 lead. Gebhardt and first-year Dylan Nelson (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) both posted one goal and one assist for MIT. Matt McCarthy netted the lone goal for Clark as Wells earned the assist.
 
- Both teams produced four goals in the final frame. A 4-1 burst during the first seven minutes helped the Engineers build their largest lead of the day (23-6) as a man-up strike by junior Logan Paterson (Silver Spring, Md.) capped the scoring. The Cougars followed with three straight goals as Wells scored and then assisted on man-up blasts by Colin Howard and Steve Caione.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
- Robertson finished with three assists while Vandenberg recorded a hat trick. Nilsen and sophomore Jack McCordic (Medfield, Mass.) both contributed two goals. First-year Matthew Sardis (Bernardsville, N.J.) won 19 of his 23 faceoff attempts and collected 11 groundballs as juniors Andrew Johnson (Dover, Mass.) and Teddy Corcoran (Harrison, N.Y.) both posted four groundballs. Junior Chris Perrino (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) and sophomore Luke Chapman (Houston, Texas) chipped in two caused turnovers. In net, senior Lukas Drexler-Bruce (Denver, Colo.) made eight saves during the first three quarters while junior David Vapnek (San Diego, Calif.) turned away five shots down the stretch.
 
- Mark Zito registered a team-high five groundballs and won 12 of his 28 faceoff attempts while Zachary Conant generated two caused turnovers. Mickelson amassed 22 saves and three groundballs in the first half. Dylan Harloff did not make a save during his 19 minutes in net as Casey McCullough turned away one shot during the last 11 minutes of action.
 
UP NEXT:
 
- Both teams will be on the road for their next games. MIT will visit NEWMAC rival Springfield College on Saturday, March 26 at 3:30 p.m. while Clark will travel to Curry College on Wednesday, March 23 for a 7:00 p.m. non-conference game.
 
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