BOSTON, Mass. (February 27, 2026) – Emerson College used a five-goal run to turn a two-goal deficit into a three-goal lead and then held off Roger Williams University down the stretch to secure an 8-7 victory in a non-conference men's lacrosse matchup at Lester Rotch Field tonight.
Senior goalkeeper Ethan Corby made eight of his 15 saves in the second half, including six in the third quarter alone, as Emerson grabbed control of the contest, and chipped in with seven ground balls. Classmate John Marcone was also a standout on defense for the Lions with eight ground balls and two caused turnovers, while junior Landon Segal chipped in with two caused turnovers and a ground ball.
The win marks the first career victory for Emerson first year head coach Daniel Thomas.
Junior Zachary Stern-Hayes posted a team-high three points for Emerson with a goal and two assists, setting up back-to-back man-up goals to cap the Lions five goal run to take a three-goal lead (8-5) late in the third quarter. Senior JD Frey netted a team-high two goals for the Lions – both man-up markers, while sophomore Brady Fish posted a goal and assist.
Corby stood tall in goal for the Lions with 15 saves. |
First year Reece Moore scored a game-high three goals to lead Roger Williams with three ground balls. Senior Kyle Zirn registered eight ground balls and five caused turnovers for the Hawks, while classmate Aaron D'Aversa finished with five saves and a ground ball.
Emerson held the lead (3-2) after a quarter of play as first year Henry Bradley scored off a pass from classmate Dylan Wong with 3:45 to play in the frame.
Roger Williams followed with the next three goals, including a pair just 31-seconds apart to grab a two-goal cushion (5-3) after a marker from sophomore Aidan Koster midway through the quarter.
Emerson scored the next five goals to take a three-goal lead (8-5) after man-up scores by first year Ethan Munsch and Frey, both assisted by Stern-Hayes, late in the third quarter. Frey also started the rally with a man-up goal, assisted by Fish, with 5:56 remaining in the first half before senior Toby Cunningham knotted the score with 2:24 to play in the half. Senior Aedan Kiniry opened the second half scoring to push the Lions into the lead prior to the pair of man-up tallies to grab control.
Roger Williams closed out the scoring in the third quarter and then pulled within one as Moore's third of the day marked the lone goal by either team in the fourth. Emerson was able to hold, with Corby notching a save with under a minute to play, to earn its first win of the season.
Up Next
Emerson (1-3, 0-0 NEWMAC) returns to action on Tuesday when it visits Bates College for a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m. The Lions return home on Saturday, March 14, when they open New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) by hosting MIT at Rotch Field at 4 p.m. Roger Williams (0-3, 0-0 CNE) visits Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m.
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