Box Score

DANBURY, CT (March 14, 2014) – Sophomore attack Noah Parson (Cary, NC/Panther Creek) chalked up a career-best six goals to go with three assists as the Vassar College men's lacrosse squad rolled past hosting Western Connecticut State University 23-8 Friday evening in non-conference play.

The Brewers (3-2) scored 14 second-half goals, blowing open a 9-5 VC halftime advantage. Vassar opened the scoring thanks to a strike from Parson just seven seconds in, but Western Connecticut (2-3) responded with the next three goals over a 1:46 span of the first period to take a 3-1 lead. VC charged right back with three straight, as Colin Cederna (Milan, MI/Saline) assisted on the first two before netting his first of the day to take a 4-3 lead after the first 15 minutes.

The Colonials' Nate Wilson scored his 13^th of the year to deadlock the game at four at 10:21 of the second quarter, but the Brewers would go on a huge stretch, netting the next five goals. During the spurt, Cederna scored twice to earn his hat trick, and Parson and Max Herman (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central Regional) each added a goal and an assist.

After the Brewers took a four-goal advantage into the halftime break, the visitors came out firing in the second half. VC posted eight goals in the decisive third quarter, as Parson, Sean Brazier (Stony Brook, NY/Ward Melville) and Brandon DeStasio (West Hempstead, NY/Chaminade) each found the back of the net twice for the Brewers.

Nothing changed in the fourth quarter for the Brewers, outscoring the Colonials 6-1 in the final stanza to pull away for the non-conference triumph. "Before the game I told my young guys that after 15 fall practices, a scrimmage, 31 spring practices and four games, we don't have any freshmen anymore. We just have 30 college lacrosse players," said head coach Marc Graham.

"They proved it today. 23 goals, 20 assisted, 42 ground balls, more than 50 percent on face-offs and nearly perfect on clears. The defensive play was outstanding, usual solid goalie play and precise offensive execution. As complete a game as you can play, not perfect, but great."

Parson's career day also saw the sophomore standout pick up four ground balls, taking a game-best 15 shots. Cederna equaled Parson's nine-points with four goals and five helpers, while Herman finished with three tallies and two assists. Freshman middie Liam Moriarty (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) was 9-of-18 on face-offs, tying for the team-lead with seven loose ball pickups, adding a goal and three assists as well.

DeStasio finished with two goals and an assist, also adding seven ground balls as he was 5-of-7 on draws. Senior Scott Brekne (Stony Brook, NY/Ward Melville) had a complete game for Vassar, registering three goals and three assists, gathering five ground balls and causing a team-best three turnovers. Senior goalkeeper Andrew Nicol (Carmel, NY/Brewster) registered his third win of the year, stopping nine WCSU shots.

VC outshot its hosts 50-34 on the day, while holding a 42-35 ground ball advantage as well. The Brewers also were successful on 16 of their 20 clear attempts, including all but one in the second half. "I just can't say enough good things about our effort today," Coach Graham said. "Everyone had a hand in the win."

The Brewers will open Liberty League play with a trip to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Saturday, March 22 at 1 p.m. in Troy, NY.