Castine, ME - The Suny Poly Men's lacrosse team captured its second ever NAC Championship, defeating the Maine Maritime Mariners 18-8. The win concludes a fast-paced two days for the Wildcats that began at SUNY Morrisville, and ended in Maine as conference champions. The duo of freshman Ryan Carroll and graduate student Andrew Maycock led the charge for SUNY Poly, each scoring four goals. Joseph VanZandt stopped 15 of the 23 shots he faced and, after the game, was named NAC Tournament MVP. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

Wildcats Ryan Carroll and Payton Thomas got SUNY Poly off on the right foot, each scoring two goals in the first quarter to take a 4-0 lead. After a man up goal from Mariner Jayden Wilson, Michael Baker quickly responded, zipping one past the goalie to take a 5-1 lead into the second quarter. 

On a man up opportunity, Griffin LaFleur would open the scoring in the second period following a pushing penalty on Mariner Brendan Reddington. Maine Maritime would score a few minutes later to cut the Wildcat lead back to four. Behind efforts from Andrew Maycock and Luke Taylor, SUNY Poly would hold an 8-2 lead at the end of the half. 

With momentum on their side, the Wildcats would extend their lead early in the third quarter, scoring four straight goals to take a 12-2 lead with 11 minutes remaining. Maine Maritime would go on to score three goals before the end of the quarter, but thanks to additional goals from Wildcats Payton Thomas and Griffin Lafleur, SUNY Poly held a commanding 14-5 lead going into the final quarter of the game. 

The Wildcats added three more goals in the fourth quarter, with all of them coming on a man up opportunity. Lyle Beeman, Andrew Maycock and Griffin Lafleur were the goal scorers for the Wildcats. The Mariners would score three goals of their own, but it was not enough, as SUNY Poly would capture its second ever NAC Championship by a score of 18-8. 

Midfielder Luke Taylor, midfielder Payton Thomas and defenseman Liam Podszebka were named to the NAC all-tournament team. Senior goalie Joseph VanZandt was named MVP of the tournament. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES: 

• Michael Baker had six points (2G, 4A). 
• Ryan Carroll & Andrew Maycock each had four goals.
• Payton Thomas & Grifin LaFleur each had four points.