NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The fourth-ranked Merrimack men's lacrosse team completed its home regular-season schedule with a 14-4 victory over Southern New Hampshire on Senior Night at Warrior Field Monday night.

In the first half, seven different Warriors scored as the hosts grabbed a 9-0 lead at half. They outshot the Penmen 28-17, forcing 10 turnovers, while scoring on two of their six man-advantages. Jo Pisano and Michael Balbuena each scored twice, while Bryan MacPhie added two first-half assists. Nick Maggio controlled the face-offs, winning nine of 11 draws, while adding an assist.

Pisano and Greg Rogowski scored 51-seconds apart early in the first to give Merrimack the 2-0 lead. MacPhie and Pisano then each scored in the first minute of the second quarter to increase the lead to 5-0.

Cory Spinale's shutout bid ended 4:14 into the third as Mike Ball netted his 34th of the year getting the Penmen on the board at 9-1. The junior All-American stopped nine shots in the win, before giving way to Matt Austin midway through the fourth.

Pisano saved his best for last, scoring a season-high six points, on four goals and two assists. Rogowski added a goal and three helpers. Freshman Alec Wilson scored his first two collegiate goals, while Kevin Laplante registered his first career assist.

With a second-quarter assist, Rogowski moved into fourth-place in the NCAA Division II record book with his 302nd career point. The three-time All-American has 206 career goals, third most in Division II history.

Before the game, Merrimack honored its five-member class of 2009 as part of Senior Night. Seniors Jonathan Nolet, Tim Roy, Michael Miano, Jo Pisano and Greg Rogowski were honored in a pregame ceremony for their hard work and dedication to the Merrimack program over the last four years.

The Warriors (11-1, 6-1 NE-10) battle #7 Bentley University Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in a showdown for second-place in the Northeast-10.

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NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Fourth-ranked Merrimack College jumped out to a 9-0 halftime lead en route to a 14-4 Northeast-10 men's lacrosse victory over Southern New Hampshire University at Warrior Field Monday night. The Warriors improved to 11-1 and 6-1 in the NE-10, while the Penmen are now 3-8 and 3-4 in the league.

Sean Ball (Salem, NH) led Southern New Hampshire with a pair of goals, while Mike Ball (Salem, NH) and Andrew Brown (Marshfield, MA) added single tallies. Marc Novaco (Chelmsford, MA) handed out a pair of assists. Jo Pisano paced Merrimack with four goals and two assists while Michael Balbuena scored three times for the Warriors.

Pisano opened the scoring for Merrimack 5:37 into the game and the Warriors owned a 3-0 lead after one quarter. The hosts scored twice in the first minute of the second quarter and extended their lead to 9-0 at halftime before Mike Ball got Southern New Hampshire on the board just over four minutes into the third to make it 9-1. Merrimack led 12-3 after three quarters.

Cory Spinale went the first 50:44 in goal for Merrimack and made nine saves. Brendan O'Brien (Hopkinton, MA) played the first 51:58 in goal for the Penmen and made 11 saves before being spelled by Eric Gunst (Exeter, NH) who went the rest of the way. Merrimack outshot Southern New Hampshire 50-40.

Southern New Hampshire returns to action Wednesday night when it hosts Franklin Pierce University for a 7:00 contest.

2009-04-21