Kyle Dorau / Sports Editor
The University of New Hampshire imposed their will upon CCSU Men’s Lacrosse Club, taking a 18-6 decision at Arute Field on Saturday.
Matt Herter and Matt House each led the way for the Blue Devils with two goals in defeat.
The Wildcats jumped out to a sizeable lead, scoring early and often. Trailing 5-0, Central was able to get on the board. Herter took a shot from a tough angle that snuck inside the far post past UNH goalie Matt Siskey.
Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, they were unable to build momentum off their first tally, as New Hampshire would respond just 33 seconds later.
Midfielder Steve Eurieck cut into the slot, took a pass from behind the net, faked high, then shot low to beat CCSU net minder Nick Gaeta.
Harter and the Blue Devils did not give up, as moments later he took a pass behind the net, and with a defender on his back, put in another shot from a difficult angle to cut the deficit back to four.
The Wildcats’ attack continued to put pressure on the Blue Devils, and defensive lapses certainly did not help Central’s cause.
Once again, after a Herter goal, CCSU got the wind knocked out of them as UNH answered right back. This time, Ian Osgood of New Hampshire raced in from midfield, made a 15-yard beeline for the net, and virtually unopposed fired a hard shot past Gaeta for another momentum-deflating goal.
The Blue Devils struggled to break out of their zone and mount offensive pressure against the Wildcats.
“They moved the ball faster, and our defense was basically watching the ball,” said CCSU midfielder Mike Gacek. “They’re just a fast break team, and we’re not.”
The fast breaks resulted in a total of 52 New Hampshire shots over the course of the game.
Matt House stood out for the Blue Devils late in the first half, as he had a pair of athletic goals to try and get Central’s offense going.
“I was just trying to beat my man and scramble their defense up, and it worked,” said House.
For the Blue Devils, it was a tough game against a strong non-conference foe.
“We didn’t hustle as much in the first half as we did in the second,” admitted House.
CCSU men’s lacrosse looks to rebound this week, as they continue their lengthy homestand to close out the regular season.
Friday they face the U.S. Coast Guard Academy at 8pm, and Saturday they host the University of Maine at 6pm on Arute Field.
