Guerrini, Unterstein, and Gallagher Score First MMA Goals in 21-4 Win

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. – It took 10 minutes for the Buccaneers' men's lacrosse team to get firing on all cylinders, but once they did, the offensive attack was relentless and Massachusetts Maritime Academy steamrolled visiting Albertus Magnus College 21-4. Twelve different Bucs, including three youngies, scored for Head Coach Rick Bagby as the team improved to 4-1 on the season.

MMA came out firing, but AMC's Jack Kerner turned in an exceptional effort in goal, turning away the first five shots on goal. With the score still 0-0 after two-thirds of the first quarter had elapsed, Samuel Hastings passed to Ted Powers, who flicked to Jack Moran for the net-finder. Less than two minutes later, it was Sean Flaherty who raced in for an unassisted goal.

The second quarter saw chances for both, though Maritime ran the score to 5-0 before Jordan Garguilo got Albertus on the board. The score read 8-3 at half-time, but a nine-goal explosion in the third put the game out-of-reach. All nine markers were scored by different players.

With the starters still on the field, Maritime eased up in the fourth, but the 21-4 final marked the most goals scored and largest margin of victory since April 2, 2016.

Despite the final score, the game's MVP might very well have been Kerner (2-3), who in three quarters saved an incredible 21 shots, including 18 by half-time before his defense ran out of energy. Four players found the net for the visitors, who took 15 shots and put six on target. MMA's Michael Dolan (4-1) earned the win, with three other keepers seeing action in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Maritime took an eye-popping 56 shots and put 44 on target, both season highs. No player had more than Powers' six points, with three each of goals and assists. Powers took nine shots and put all but one on target. Benjamin Avakian continued a hot run of late with three goals, while five other players had a brace of markers. The attacker also aimed at the net nine times, with six on the mark. Avakian has 12 goals in the last three games.

Multiple Bucs scored their first goal of the year, including first years Trey Guerrini (two goals), Colby Unterstein (two), and John Gallagher, plus Sean Flaherty (two).

The team added 50 groundballs as well, with Michael Sharry picking up 12 and Andrew Cook five. MMA won 23 of 29 face-offs, though it committed 17 turnovers.

In the meantime, bookmark www.mmabucs.com and get the inside scoop on Facebook and Twitter @mmabuccaneers.

Gabriel Fidler, Sports Information Associate