PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Johnson & Wales University (5-4, 1-0 GNAC) defeated Saint Joseph's College (3-5, 0-1 GNAC), 14-3, in what was the 2016 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener for both teams in men's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon.

Johnson & Wales netted seven goals in the first quarter and held a 13-0 cushion after Carter Lyle netted a man-down marker 2:38 into the third frame. Saint Joseph's finally got on the board with 11:14 left in the third when sophomore Joe O'Reilly (Suffern, N.Y.) scored off a Mark LaPierre (Wayland, Mass.) pass.

Freshman Michael Finn (Quincy, Mass.) and senior Jake O'Brien (Andover, Mass.) also scored for the Monks.

Sophomore goalie Connor Trainor (Franklin, Mass.) made 18 saves in the loss while second-year keeper Wyatt Porter (Pittsfield, Mass.) recorded one stop in 2:44 minutes of mop-up duty.

Johnson & Wales held considerable advantages in shots (42-22), ground balls (48-16), and face-offs (16-5) and cleared successfully on 31 of 35 opportunities. The Monks were 21-24 on clearing attempts on the afternoon.

Saint Joseph's returns to the turf next Saturday with a GNAC game at Anna Maria College. Opening face-off is slated for 1:00 PM.

#GOMONKS

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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.