JOHNSON, Vt.-The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's lacrosse team faced off against Becker College in their final game of the 2019 season This evenings game was the Badgers Go4theGoal game to recognize the people who have been affected by pediatric cancer. The Badgers were outted by the Becker College Hawks by a score of 15-11.
The Badgers netted the first goal of the game as freshman Ryan Palmisano scored in the first minute of action. The contest turned into a battle early as Jack Schneider of the Hawks scored the team's first goal with seven minutes remaining in the quarter. The penalties were adding up for both teams in the first half and with a man up with four minutes remaining the Hawks capitalized on a goal from Jeffrey Schaeffer to take the lead. The Badgers turned the Hawks over off the faceoff and had possession until Schneider caused a Badger turnover and assisted teammate Cameron Sangster for the Hawks third goal of the quarter. Sangster continued to attack and netted his second goal of the quarter as the Hawks took the early 4-1 lead.
The Badgers stayed composed and with just a minute remaining Dave Legris stopped the bleeding for the Badgers by netting an unassisted goal. The goal ignited the Badgers offense as a Hawks player was penalized for slashing and with a man up Cesar Ortiz brought the game within one goal with a goal of his own.
A Badger penalty with just 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter allowed for the Hawks to score and close the quarter leading by a score of 5-3.
Headed into the second quarter Ortiz and Legris were the only two Badgers to capitalize and score but the Badgers defense wasn't strong enough as they allowed the Hawks to score three goals and take an 8-5 lead heading into the break.
The Hawks Sangster continued to be impressive as he scored the first goal of the second half in the tenth minute. Josh Benak found a rhythm in the second half as he netted his first goal of the contest for the Badgers. Benak was strong attacking the Hawks defense consistently as he quickly scored again bringing the Badgers within just two goals of the Hawks. Following the goal, the Hawks owned the faceoff and went downhill quickly to score their own goal. Benak and the Badgers would not fold as possessions went back and forth until a shot wide from Legris resulted in a ground ball and a shot the reached the back of the net for Benak to score his third goal of the quarter and bring the score to 8-10 in the third stint of action. The Hawks closed the quarter leading 11-8.
Becker opened up the final quarter on a frenzy as they netted the first three goals of the quarter until Kyle Picard scored his first goal of the contest off an Ortiz assist. Ortiz followed with a goal of his own, but it wasn't enough as the Hawks controlled the tempo for the remainder of the quarter closing the game by a score of 15-11.
With the loss the Badgers close the season with an 0-10 record. Benak closes the season leading the Badgers with 14 goals on the year. Ortiz finishes the year with eight goals and Legris and Palmisano followed with six goals apiece.