HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College men's lacrosse team posted their first win of the season on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Castleton State College 11-5 in non-conference action at Don Melander Field. With the win, the Pilgrims improve to 1-1 on the season, while the loss drops the Spartans to 0-1. 

Alex Green (Braintree, Vt.) scored a pair of goals to lead the Spartan attack, while Sam Bailey (Hartford, Vt.), Phil Patterson (Essex, Vt.) and Will Stuhler (Madison, N.J.) each scored single markers.

Matt Carey (Medford, N.Y.) tallied three goals and four assists for a seven-point performance at attack for the Pilgrims. Colin Gordon (Manchester, Mass.) added three goals of his own, while James Putney (Mountain Lakes, N.J.) and John Gabriel (West Nyack, N.Y.) each added a goal and an assist for NEC offensively. 

The Pilgrims raced out to a 4-0 lead at halftime, and tacked on another goal to make it 5-0 one minute and 32 seconds into the second half. Gabriel and Carey each had a goal and an assist in the opening surge.

Castleton got on the board on Stuhler's first collegiate goal with seven minutes and 26 seconds left in the third period, but New England College reeled off the next four-straight scores to put the game out of reach.

Nick Aquaviva (Syracuse, N.Y.) earned the win in net for the Pilgrims and recorded 12 saves.  Dave DeGhetto (Clifton, N.J.) took the loss in net and posted 11 saves. The Pilgrims outshot the Spartans 37-30 on the afternoon.

New England College is back in action on Monday, March 14 when the play Ithaca College in San Diego, Calif. Castleton will travel to Western Connecticut State on Sunday for a 3:00 p.m. matchup.