STANDISH, Maine – Saint Joseph's College (2-1) opened conference play with a dominant offensive performance in a 26-4 victory over Elms College (0-1) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's lacrosse action at the SJC Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon.

BROKEN RECORD:

SJC junior Zander Kirk (West Bath, Maine) won 24-of-25 face-off attempts in the victory and surpassed the Monks' single-game face-off wins record, previously held by Shane Fors '20, who recorded 22 wins against Rivier University on March 27, 2019.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Saint Joseph's wasted no time establishing control, with sophomore Noah Schaeffer (Gray, Maine) opening the scoring at the 14:16 mark. Junior Nicolas Michaud (Wales, Maine) followed with two quick tallies. Goals from graduate student Jack Leach (Pembroke, Mass.), junior Brandon Cavicchi (Kingston, Mass.), freshman Wyatt Knutson (Brunswick, Maine), and freshman Aidan Byrne (West Newbury, Mass.) highlighted the first period as Saint Joseph's built a 10-0 advantage.

The Monks continued their strong play in the second quarter, adding six more goals to extend the lead to 16-2 at halftime. Michaud recorded a pair of goals, while Schaeffer, Cavicchi, junior Joseph Kiedaisch (Westminster, Mass.), and senior Jon Elliott (Upton, Mass.) also found the back of the net. Elms scored twice on goals by graduate student Devano Clarke (Barnstable, Mass.).

Saint Joseph's maintained control in the third quarter with another six-goal frame. Byrne, Elliott, Leach, and sophomore Caleb Reardon (Belchertown, Mass.) all scored, while Michaud added two more tallies to push the lead to 22-3. Sophomore Colter McComas (Hampden, Mass.) added a goal for the visitors.

In the fourth quarter, Saint Joseph's added four goals, including man-up tallies from senior David Cook (Upton, Mass.) and Knutson. Cavicchi and Cook added late goals before Elms closed the scoring with a man-up goal from graduate student Taahir Busaidy (Houston, Texas) for the 26-4 final.

STATS OF THE GAME:

Saint Joseph's controlled play throughout the contest, with advantages in shots (61-15), shots on goal (43-7), ground balls (40-10), and face-offs (28-3). The Monks were efficient in transition, converting 10 of 11 clearing attempts. Both teams went 2-for-7 on extra-man opportunities.

THE KEEPERS:

The Monks split time in goal, with junior Reed Wescott (Windham, Maine) recording the victory (two saves, two goals allowed in the first half). Freshman Sean Cushing (Nobleboro, Maine), in his first collegiate appearance, recorded one save and allowed two goals in the second half.

Elms senior goalkeeper Caleb Smith (Suffield, Conn.) finished with 17 saves in the loss.

LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:

• Nicolas Michaud: 8 goals, 2 assists
• Brandon Cavicchi: 3 goals, 6 assists
• Noah Schaeffer: 2 goals, 4 assists
• Jack Leach: 3 goals
• David Cook: 2 goals, 1 assist
• Jon Elliott: 2 goals, 1 assist
• Zander Kirk: 15 ground balls, 24-of-25 face-offs
• Kevin Wood (Sr., Danvers, Mass.): 3 ground balls, 1 caused turnover
• Finley Ward (So., Farmington, Maine): 3 ground balls

LEADERS – ELMS:

• Devano Clarke: 2 goals
• Colter McComas: 1 goal, 3 assists
• Taahir Busaidy: 1 goal
• Jacob Cancel (Sr., Northampton, Mass.): 4 ground balls, 1 caused turnover

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:

With the win, Saint Joseph's improves to 2-0 in the all-time series with Elms College.

NEXT:

The Monks return to action with a conference game when they host Mitchell College on Saturday, March 7 at 1:00 PM.