SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore Tim Santye (Skillman, NJ) and freshman Joe O'Keefe (Branford, CT) each scored three goals as the Western New England College men's lacrosse team defeated visiting Wentworth Institute of Technology 17-1 Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 23) to clinch at least second place in The Commonwealth Coast Conference.

The Golden Bears, ranked 16th in the USILA Division III poll, are now 9-4 heading into Friday's regular season non-league finale at city rival Springfield.

WNEC completed its inaugural season in the conference with an 8-1 mark. No. 14 Endicott (12-2) is first in the league with a 7-0 record with two conference games left.

Western New England College led 2-0 after the opening period and held a 3-0 advantage before senior Nick Lambros (Forestdale, MA) scored the Leopards' only goal at the 11:27 mark of the second period. The Golden Bears went on to take an 8-1 lead at half-time and wound up scoring the last 14 goals of the contest.

Senior Mike Kelly (Cheshire, CT) added two goals and two assists while junior Brody Savoie (Wilbraham, MA) had a pair of goals along with an assist. Senior Jon Hayes (Waltham, MA) also tallied twice.

Wentworth falls to 7-6 overall and 5-4 in the conference.

Wentworth (7-6)  0   1   0   0   -   1
#16 WNEC (9-4)   2   6   5   4   -   17

Wentworth Leopards
Goal – Nick Lambros
Assist – Matt Cox
Saves – Nick Murphy 15 (45 minutes, 13 goals), Sean Tobin 1 (2 goals, 8:57), John Corcoran 1 (2 goals, 6:03)

Western New England College Golden Bears
Goals – Joe O'Keefe 3, Tim Santye 3, Jon Hayes 2, Mike Kelly 2, Brody Savoie 2, Tim Heffernan, Mike Murray, Brian Praetorious, Jared Pabis, Mike Santare
Assists – Mike Kelly 2, Nick Coppola, Tim Heffernan, Brody Savoie, Keith Radcliffe, David Teichman
Saves – Chris Body 3 (45 minutes, 1 goal), Ben Barlow 1 (15 minutes, 0 goals)

2008-04-23