WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Senior Cal Dearth scored a career-high five goals and freshman John MacLean recorded a career-high four points as the Boston University men's lacrosse team improved to 3-0 for the second straight season with a 12-5 victory over Hartford on Saturday afternoon at Al-Marzook Field.
THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: Boston University 12, Hartford 5
Records: BU (3-0), Hartford (0-1)
Location: Al-Marzook Field - West Hartford, Conn.
STUCKY SETS TONE AT THE FACEOFF X
- Junior Joe Stucky turned in a terrific performance on Saturday. Facing off against last year's NCAA leader in faceoff percentage, Dylan Protesto, Stucky went 8-of-10 for five ground balls in the first half. He finished the game 12-of-21 with seven ground balls.
ANOTHER TERRIFIC DAY FROM CARSON-BANISTER
- Senior goalkeeper Christian Carson-Banister turned in another outstanding performance for the Terriers. He made 12 saves, six in each half, and helped the Terriers match a program low with just five goals allowed.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Senior Chad Bell helped get the Terriers out to a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter. He assisted on Dearth's opening goal before finding the top corner on his own for his third goal of the season.
- MacLean's unassisted tally made it 3-0 with 5:42 to play in the opening frame and Carson-Banister made that lead stand up thanks to four fantastic saves.
- In the second quarter, Hartford cut the deficit to 3-2 halfway through the stanza, but MacLean scored his second of the game to make it 4-2. After another Hartford goal, MacLean fed Dearth for the senior's second of the contest to create a 5-3 halftime score.
- Sophomore Homire extended the lead to 6-3 with a goal in transition after great defending by seniors Dominick Calisto and Greg Wozniak. MacLean then fed Dearth again to make it 7-3 about 5:00 into the third quarter.
- BU made it 8-3 when Homire found junior Ryan Hilburn during a man-up situation.
- Senior Pat Myers scored late in the third quarter when he took a pass from Bell, faked out the goalkeeper and scored his first goal of the season to make it 9-3.
- It was 9-4 early in the third quarter when the Terriers rattled off three straight goals. junior Hayden Ruiz found classmate Jack Wilson with a nice pass to make it 10-4 before Dearth tallied twice more, with Hilburn and sophomore James Burr providing the assists.
- Hartford added a late marker to close out the 12-5 final.
GAME NOTES
- Bell has recorded five points over the last two games. He scored twice at UMass Lowell and added a goal and two assists at Hartford.
- Dearth has notched 11 points (6g, 5a) over the last two tilts. His previous career high was four goals, most recently achieved at Harvard last season.
- Calisto caused three turnovers and added a ground ball in a stellar defensive performance. He also held Hartford's Dylan Jinks, who was the Hawk's leading scorer last year, to zero points.
- Wozniak was also terrific on defense, collecting four ground balls and forcing two turnovers.
- Wilson extended his point streak to 29 games with his fourth-quarter goal.
- The clearing game was a strength for the Terriers, as they went 16-of-17 on clears.
- BU avenged a 16-10 defeat to Hartford last season.
NEXT UP
- BU will open Patriot League play on Saturday, Feb. 25, at No. 17 Navy.
- The Terriers knocked off the Mids, 10-9, in double overtime last season.
- Game time is set for 12 p.m.