Avakian Scores Four in 14-7 Win; Three with Hat Tricks

PAXTON, Mass. – After a scoreless first quarter at Anna Maria College, the Buccaneers' men's lacrosse team turned up the offensive firepower, hitting the net at least four times in each of the remaining quarters. Benjamin Avakian had his second-straight four-goal game as Mass Maritime improved to 3-1 with the 14-7 victory.

Avakian broke the scoring only nine seconds into the second quarter on an assist from Michael Sharry, and Cody Livermore made it 2-0 only 30 seconds later, with Avakian finding him with the pass. Anna Maria would put one on the scoreboard halfway through the period, but a three-goal run started by Avakian gave MMA a 5-1 lead just before halftime.

AMC would hit the net twice in the last 81 seconds, but committed a penalty that caused them to start the second half a man down. Franklin Ragge took advantage, with Livermore flicking the ball to him for the 6-3 lead. No one would score again till just under eight minutes, when Anna Maria scored a pair to draw within one, the closest they would come for the rest of the match.

Ted Powers ensured a quick recovery, scoring two goals in the next 1:42, sandwiched around a net-finder from Ragge. Maritime started the final quarter where it left off, as Powers and Avakian beat the keeper in the first few minutes and, suddenly, the score read 11-5.

Avakian and Powers would net their fourth, while Ragge earned his first hat trick of the season. The 14-7 final looks even less surprising with a look at the numbers, as the Buccaneers shot 48 times, 38 on target. Anna Maria fired 32 shots, putting 21 on goal, but Michael Dolan (3-1) stopped two-thirds of the attempts. Both sides committed numerous turnovers, but the difference could be found in face-offs, which Maritime won 20-4. The 14 markers were the most that the men have scored yet this season.

Avakian took a whopping 10 shots and putting nine of them on target, picking up three groundballs as well. The Bourne native added two assists, both in the second quarter, to improve his season total to 11 points, with nine coming on goals. Powers was only a step behind, netting four goals on six shots, all on target. He picked up four groundballs and dished off an assist and has eight points on the year.

Livermore once more directed the offense, continuing to improve his ball control as he committed zero turnovers. No. 3 dished off two assists and scored himself, running his season points total to a team-leading 15 in four games.

Michael Sharry was a workhorse in the midfield, winning an impressive 18-of-22 faceoffs and picking up 10 groundballs. Sharry lost the ball only twice and fired off an assist as well.

AMC was led by Cameron Perry, who scored three goals on eight shots, six on target. Paul Schwarz took the loss as he and the 'Cats fell to 2-5.

The Bucs have a final non-conference game before starting NEWMAC play and will face Albertus Magnus (1-2) at Clean Harbors Stadium on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

In the meantime, stay tuned to www.mmabucs.com for all the latest.

Gabriel Fidler, Sports Information Associate