BOSTON, Mass. – Senior Chris Guilherme (Derry, N.H.) scored five goals and added an assist to pace the Wentworth lacrosse team to an 11-5, season-opening win over Mass. Maritime in a non-conference contest played at Sweeney Field.
The Leopards jumped out to a quick, 3-0 lead in a span of 1:48 as sophomore Mark Pappas (Worcester, Mass.), freshman Jeff Guilherme (Derry, N.H.), and freshman Max Blum (New Fairfield, Conn.) each scored goals with Chris Guilherme assisting on Blum's goal. After the Buccaneers cut the lead to 3-1 on a sophomore James Burns (Duxbury, Mass.) goal, Wentworth scored the next two, coming on markers from Freshman Christopher Kipp (Scarborough, Maine) and Chris Guilherme to take a 5-1 lead. Mass. Maritime closed out the first half with a goal from senior Jake Bickley (Wilbraham, Mass.).
Wentworth broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors by a 4-0 margin. Guilherme added two more goals in the period, while senior Lucas Littlefield (Narragansett, R.I.) and sophomore Patrick Helfrich (North Andover, Mass.) each scored. Helfrich also added a pair of assists.
Chris Guilherme scored both of Wentworth's goals in the fourth quarter, while Mass. Maritime received goals from Burns, senior Ryan Linn (Bourne, Mass.), and junior Will Doucette (Manchester, Mass.).
Sophomore Matt O'Connor (Duxbury, Mass.) made 11 saves in his collegiate debut to pick up the win. Freshman Paul Painten (Walpole, Mass.) took the loss for Buccaneers, making six saves in 30 minutes of action. Freshman Jack Murphy (Cohasset, Mass.) played the second half, making six saves. Wentworth held a 41-24 shot advantage and won 11 of 18 faceoffs.
Wentworth (1-0) opens The Commonwealth Coast Conference play on Saturday at Nichols, while Mass. Maritime (0-1) is at Emerson on Thursday.
