BABSON PARK, Mass. – No. 3 seeded MIT came within one goal late in the second quarter, but top-seeded and nationally ranked No. 4 Babson College pulled away for a 15-9 victory in the NEWMAC Men's Lacrosse Championship on Saturday afternoon at MacDowell Field. At the conclusion of the game,
Stone Smith received the Laurels of Academic Excellence Award which honors the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competing in the NEWMAC Championship.
THE BASICS:
- Score: No. 4 Babson 15, MIT 9
- Records: MIT (9-8 Overall); No. 4 Babson (16-2 Overall)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Babson rattled off four goals during the first four minutes of the game; however, MIT cut its deficit in half during the last 4:24 of the opening quarter. Bryce Metalios put the Engineers on the scoreboard courtesy of a pass from Garrett Campagna and then Denley Kofoed scored on a feed from Carter Magnano.
- After trading goals in the second quarter, back-to-back blasts brought MIT within 7-6 with 1:35 on the clock. Zach Bleil provided the first goal while Hayden Calabretta conncted on a feed from Oscar Lindenthal. The Beavers replied with two goals during the final 58 seconds of the frame, taking a 9-6 lead into halftime.
- The majority of the third quarter was a defensive battle until Babson generated three goals inside the last 4:21 and then its margin grew to 13-6 just over a minute into the fourth quarter.
- Campagna's solo effort ended the Engineers' scoring drought at the 8:25 mark, but the Beavers tacked on two more goals. Despite the deficit, MIT continued to attack as it notched two goals inside the last 50 seconds of play. Thomas Ludecke redirected a feed from Riley Pierce and 28 seconds later, Metalios scored on a pass from Lindenthal.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Metalios scored twice, Lindenthal finished with two assists, and Pierce posted one goal, one assist, and four groundballs.
- Magnano and Campagna both recorded one goal and one assist as Tim Haarmann tallied three groundballs and two caused turnovers.
- Kaden Fenno went 8-of-13 in faceoffs while Mason Prettyman was seven of 11 at the faceoff "x".
- In net, Collin Lung collected 13 saves, one caused turnover, and one groundball.
- This was the second meeting between both teams in the title game. In 2023, the Beavers edged out the Engineers, 15-14, in overtime.
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