WESTON, MASS. - The SUNY Poly men's lacrosse team opened their season on Saturday with a win against the Regis College Pride 14-12. The Wildcats and the Pride were tied at 11 with less than a minute left in regulation, but the Wildcat offense would strike twice in the final 23 seconds of the game to take the win earning the team and new Head Coach Brandon Misiaszek the first win of the 2017 season.

Connor Elsenbeck (Clinton, N.Y.) was the leading scorer for the Wildcats. The senior had five goals and an assist in the game. He put seven of eight of his shots on goal. Elsenbek also tied for a team high four groundballs and had a caused turnover in the win. Elsenbek netted the difference maker in the game with just 23 ticks left on the game clock on an assist by Tyler Heldt (Cicero, N.Y.).

Daniel Rivie (Ossining, N.Y.) had three goals on nine shots. The sophomore also had four groundballs and two caused turnovers. Rivie went 2-5 in the faceoff circle for the Wildcats, sharing the work with Jonathan Sobolewski (Staten Island, N.Y.) who took 17 of the 28 face-offs.

Joey Beyer (Long Beach, N.Y.), Tyler Heldt, and Edward Rosaschi (Highland Mills, N.Y.) each had a pair of goals in the game for the Cats'. Heldt had a game high nine shots on goal on 18 total shots. Beyer had a caused turnover and an assist in the game. Rosaschi had an assist and a caused turnover. Ryan Daucher (Geneva, N.Y.) came off the bench and had two caused turnovers and scooped up a ground ball.

In goal for the Wildcats, Christopher Evanchuk (Clinton, N.Y.) earned his first win of the season. He played all 60 minutes and made seven saves.

For Regis, AJ Jarofsky had a team high four goals and three assists. Brandon Mehler had a game high nine groundballs, two goals and a groundball. Danny Rancano had two goals and three assists.

The Wildcats start their season with a win for the second consecutive year. The Wildcats will be back in action on March 3rd against Oswego State. The game is scheduled for a 4:00 PM start.