SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Sophomore attacker Andrew Mariani (East Brunswick, N.J.) scored the winning goal with 4:02 remaining as the Western New England College men's lacrosse team rallied to defeat Salve Regina 10-9 for its first win of the season Wednesday night. This also was The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) opener for both teams who now have identical 1-2 records.

The Golden Bears trailed 8-5 heading into the final period before staging their dramatic comeback.

After not scoring in the third quarter, Western New England College finally hit the scoring column when freshman midfielder Zach Robinson (Middlebury, Vt.) scored on a man-down situation 1:23 into the fourth stanza. Senior defender Nick Zaleski (Somers, Conn.) had the second of his two assists on the play.

Senior attacker Tim Santye (Skillman, N.J.) got the Golden Bears within one with a man-up shot just 1:04 later with an assist from freshman attacker Corrigan Harreys (Deep River, Conn.) who also scored a goal.

Twenty-one seconds later WNEC had a goal by Santye waived off because of too many men on the field.

Salve Regina then went ahead 9-7 when freshman midfielder Taylor Braun (Commack, N.Y.) scored with 8:31 remaining.

Western New England College again came back pulling within one on a goal by junior attacker Joe O'Keefe (Branford, Conn.) just 20 seconds later. Santye netted his second goal of the game at the 6:46 mark with an assist from sophomore midfielder Patrick White (Milton, Mass.).

Santye also had an assist in the game for a three-point night as did O'Keefe who finished with two goals and an assist in making his first appearance since 2008. O'Keefe was TCCC Rookie of the Year before missing last year with an injury.

Sophomore goalie Brewster Knowlton (Somers, Conn.) compiled 11 saves.

Salve Regina received a tremendous effort from sophomore attacker Chris Walker (Marshfield, Mass.) who fired in five goals while assisting on two others. Junior attacker Brendan Rooney (West Newton, Mass.) contributed a goal and two assists. Junior midfielder Evan Gates (Ridge, N.J.) chipped in with a goal and assist. Freshman goalie Christopher Connors (Garden City, N.Y.) had a solid effort, stopping 16 shots.

Courtesy of Western New England sports information