MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)-- Salve Regina University men's lacrosse came back from a 7-5 deficit in the third quarter to win the first round of the NEWMAC Championship Tournament 10-8 against the visiting United States Coast Guard Academy Bears on a windy night at Gaudet Field.
The Seahawks got ahead early with a pair of goals from Liam Cooney and Chris Koltzan in the first five minutes of the game. The Bears entered the contest straight off an 11-9 win over No.18, at the time, nationally ranked Babson College. The Beavers used this recent victory to their advantage to make a four-goal run to end the first quarter and start the second quarter which put them ahead 4-2. Two of the four Bear goals came from the stick of Eric Key, the team's leading goal scorer.
Just as the momentum began to shift in favor of th visitor Christopher Bethoney sank a goal which triggered two more from Chris Koltzan to once again put Salve Regina ahead 5-4. The success was matched by USCGA's Nolan Grizzle who potted two goals in the third quarter to establish a two-goal lead for the Bears.
The turning point of the contest came in the late third and early fourth quarters when Daniel Naglieri secured four unanswered goals. Only broken up by a shot from Bears' Ezekiel Christian, Heath Sumwalt achieved the final goal of the day to secure Salve Regina a spot in the second round of the conference tournament.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Salve Regina 10, Coast Guard 8
Records: Salve Regina (12-5), Coast Guard (9-6)
History: Earlier this season Salve Regina beat Coast Guard 11-6 on the road at Cadet Memorial Field. Last year when the programs first played as NEWMAC conference opponents the Seahawks won 12-10 at Toppa Field during spring break.
NOTEWORTHY
- Seahawk goalie Andrew Hazard made an impressive 13 saves in net while Bears' Brett Tobasky made 14 stops.
- Chris Koltzan saw his 100th career point.
- Seahawk FOGO Justin Haverly went 14-20 on the face off with 10 ground balls. Bears' Mason Tucker was 7-20.
- Coast Guard totaled 15 ground balls while Salve Regina grabbed 31, led by Haverly (10) and Jack Naglieri (7).
QUOTING COACH PATRICK COONEY
"Awesome team effort tonight versus a quality Coast Guard opponent. I am very proud of the entire team, especially the seniors. We played with energy and finished strong in the fourth."
ON THE HORIZON
Men's lacrosse will travel to play the No.1 seed Springfield College on the road on Thursday, April 1, at 7 p.m.
