Quincy, MA - After spotting Eastern Nazarene College an early goal, Northern Vermont University-Lyndon ran off 10 straight tallies and cruised to a 12-3 victory over the homestanding Lions. It was Lyndon's first win in three games this season, and the program's first since the Hornets defeated Northern Vermont University-Johnson in the final game of the 2019 season. Eastern Nazarene remains winless in three starts this season.
Jamar Griggs got Eastern Nazarene on the scoreboard first when he took a pass from Devano Clarke and fired it past Lyndon goalie Aaron Florence (Lutz, FL). That would prove to be the Lions' last tally of the first half. Benjamin Cheever (Johnson, VT) got the equalizer only 21 seconds later with an unassisted goal. Then, with 1:48 to go in the opening quarter, Rob Casucci (Fairfield, CT) gave the Hornets the lead when he took a pass from Anthony Townsend (Pembroke, MA) and beat ENC goalie Ryan Almeida.
Cam Meigs (St. Johnsbury, VT) made it 3-1, Lyndon, with a man-up goal just over two minutes into the second quarter. At the 8:17 mark, Townsend found Cheever for another goal. Meigs then scored twice just seconds apart. Cheever followed with a pair of unassisted goals to send the Hornets into halftime with an 8-1 lead.
The Hornets extended their advantage in the third quarter. Neither team was able to bereak through for most of the period, until Casucci broke through with a man-up goal off of a Townsend assist with 3:05 to go in the frame. Townsend then made it 10-1 with an unassisted goal at the 1:25 mark.
Griggs scored an unassisted goal a little over a minute into the final quarter to break the Lyndon run. The Hornets answered with a pair of goals from Cheever, his fifth and sixth of the game, to push the Lyndon lead to 12-2. Xavier Depina picked up an unassisted goal for Eastern Nazarene to round out the scoring.
Cheever's six goal outburst was the most by a Hornet in a single game since Shea Jones tallied seven times in the final game of 2019. Townsend also had a big night with a goal and four assists. Meigs' hat trick marked the first three goals of his career. Luc Parrett (Eden Mills, VT) had a big game on the defensve end, recording a game high 14 ground balls and three caused turnovers. Faceoff man Matt Valentine (East Burke, VT) won 13 of 18 at the X.
Florence picked up the win in goal, as he made 15 saves on 18 Lion shots on goal. Almeida took the loss and recorded 19 saves. Lyndon outshot Eastern Nazarene, 49-34, and had a 43-33 advantage in ground balls.
Lyndon will open North Atlantic Conference play this weekend when they travel to Thomas College on Saturday afternoon. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
