PDF Release
NEC Player of the Week: Nate Patterson, SJU
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Mike Adler, SJU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Zach Cole, SJU
Previous NEC Releases: April 1 | March 25 | March 18 | March 11 | March 4 | February 25 | February 18 | February 11 | Preseason Poll Release 

NEC MEN’S LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nate Patterson, Saint Joseph's
So., A, Lancaster, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg (Mercer)
Patterson was key in the clutch for the Hawks in Saturday’s 12-11 overtime victory over #20 ranked Hobart. With Saint Joseph’s down by a goal in the waning moments, Patterson netted the equalizer with just six-tenths of a second to spare, forcing overtime. Then, just 43 seconds into the bonus session, Patterson found sophomore attackman Matt Tufano for the game winner. Patterson collected two goals and two assists on the afternoon, continuing his surge since the start of conference play. The sophomore has recorded four or more points in each of the Hawks’ first three conference games and leads the team with 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) on the season.

NEC MEN’S LACROSSE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Mike Adler, Saint Joseph's
So., G, Fort Lauderdale, FL/Saint Thomas Aquinas
Adler made a career-high 20 saves against #20 Hobart - the highest scoring team in the conference - to help lead the Hawks to a 12-11 overtime win on Saturday at Sweeney Field. Adler was under siege in the second quarter, making nine stops and preserving a one goal Hawk lead at intermission. In the second half, Adler held the Statesmen scoreless for the final 11 minutes of action, allowing Saint Joseph’s to come back and tie the game late in regulation, and eventually win it in overtime. The 20-save outing was the third 20-save performance in the league this season. The sophomore goaltender stands fourth in the conference in save percentage (.521) and goals against average (10.72)

NEC MEN’S LACROSSE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Zach Cole, Saint Joseph's
Fr. FO, Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape
Cole collected his second NEC Rookie of the Week honor of the season following a 17-for-26 performance at the X, with 11 ground balls on Saturday afternoon against #20 Hobart. Cole’s key faceoff win to start overtime gave Saint Joseph’s the opening possession, which they took advantage of and netted the game winner just seconds later. The Mount Laurel, NJ native owns a 61.2% faceoff winning percentage, good for third in the NEC and top-20 in the NCAA rankings. 

AROUND THE NEC

Saint Joseph’s recorded a big time win on Saturday afternoon, knocking off nationally ranked conference foe Hobart, 12-11, in overtime. It marked the third straight one-goal encounter between the two programs, and the second time in three meetings the game would be decided in overtime.

SJU sophomore attackman Nate Patterson netted the equalizer with just sixth tenths of a second remaining in regulation. In overtime, Zach Cole won the faceoff to give the Hawks possession. Then, just 43 seconds into the bonus period, Patterson found sophomore Matt Tufano for the game winner, handing Hobart their first NEC loss of the season.

The lone remaining conference unbeaten is Mount St. Mary’s at 3-0. The Mount traveled to Salt Lake City to meet Utah in non-conference action on Saturday. Trailing 15-14, Brenden McCarthy scored the tying goal with 4:56 remaining. Freshman Jared McMahon would prove to be the hero, scoring the game winner for the Mount with 1:40 to go. Mount St. Mary’s has now won four straight, and can be the first team to sew up a spot in this year’s NEC Tournament with a victory at Wagner on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Robert Morris scored a season-high 17 goals in a victory over Wagner, while Sacred Heart shut down Bryant, 11-8. It marked Sacred Heart’s first ever victory against the Bulldogs. The reigning champs and the Pioneers are both tied at 2-2, and in fourth place in the NEC standings.

This week Robert Morris will play a pair of non-conference games at Lehigh and at Cleveland State. Mount will look to clinch a playoff spot against Wagner, Saint Joseph’s will look to ride the momentum of its overtime win this week into Fairfield to meet the Pioneers, while Hobart will look to bounce back at home against Bryant.

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Mike Adler, SJU – SO – G
*Made a career high 20 saves against #20 Hobart, including nine in the second quarter and four in the fourth. Recorded the third 20-save game by a goaltender in the NEC this year.  

Ryan Baker, BRY – SO – D
*Recorded a career best three ground balls and caused three turnovers on Saturday against Sacred Heart. Stands second on the team with nine caused turnovers this season.

Zach Cole, SJU – FR – FO
*Went 17-for 26 at the X, with 11 ground balls on the day against #20 Hobart. His key faceoff win to start overtime helped lead to the game-winning goal.

Chris DiPretoro, MSM - SR – A
*Produced a season best five goals on Saturday in Mount’s 16-15 comeback win over Utah.

Brooks Dutton, SHU – JR – G
*Allowed a season-low eight goals, while making 11 saves in Sacred Heart’s Saturday victory over Bryant. Recorded his fourth straight double-digit save game this year.

Alex Heger, RMU – SR – G
*Made 14 saves and recorded a .700 save percentage in Robert Morris’ victory over Wagner. Held Wagner scoreless for over 18 minutes, yielding just one second half goal.

Corson Kealey, RMU – SO – A
*Picked up his second double hat trick of the season with a six-goal outburst on Saturday against Wagner. Kealey has five hat tricks this season, and four in his last five games.

Brenden McCarthy, MSM – JR – M/A
*Tallied a season high eight points, on four goals and four assists, in Saturday’s victory over Utah. Netted the game tying goal with 4:56 remaining. Has recorded hat tricks in back to back games.

Nate Patterson, SJU – SO – A
*Turned in a game high four points against #20 Hobart. His goal with six-tenths of a second remaining in regulation forced overtime and his feed to Matt Tufano resulted in the game winner. 

Joe Saggese, SHU – SR – A
*Scored two goals and added two assists, all in the second half, during Saturday’s win against Bryant. Has recorded a point in 42 straight games, the fifth-longest active streak in the nation.