Kendall Hat Trick Helps Keep Thomas Men's Lacrosse in NAC Playoff Hunt

Recap, photo courtesy of Thomas College

FARMINGTON, Maine --- Sophomore midfielder Jacob Kendall (Lewiston, Maine / Lewiston) scored three goals to lead Thomas College to a 9-5 North Atlantic Conference men's lacrosse win over the University of Maine at Farmington at Prescott Field.

The win keeps the Terriers (2-8, 2-6 NAC) within reach of a NAC Tournament berth. The final seeding and tournament schedule will be released following the conclusion of league play on Tuesday afternoon.

Thomas led 2-0 after one quarter behind an even-strength goal from Bryan Ferris (sr., Whitman, Mass. / Whitman-Hanson Regional) and a man-up tally from Kendall.

The teams combined for eight goals in a wild second quarter. Senior Gershom Renee (Hartford,
Conn. / Classical Magnet School) gave the Terriers a 3-0 lead just 32 seconds into the frame with senior Parker Chute (Brentwood, N.H. / Exeter) making it 4-0 less than two minutes later. Chute added a second goal - this one of an assist from senior Zac Crimmin (Westbrook, Maine / Westbrook) - with 8:37 to play.

Travis St. Pierre registered a hat trick in the quarter scoring at the 9:26 mark, the 6:11 mark and the 5:40 mark to keep the Beavers within reach.

Kendall scored twice more as the quarter wound down to give the Terriers a 7-3 lead at the break.
Crimmin increased the Thomas lead to 8-3 after three quarters with a man-up goal off an assist from Chute just 2:06 into the second half.

Nicholas D'Aleo scored with 11:15 remaining in the game to cut the deficit to four goals, but UMF was unable to score quickly enough to put the result in jeopardy. Ferris scored off an assist from Colby Blondin (so., Colchester, Vt. / Colchester) with 4:23 left to make it 9-4. UMF's Justin Roberge scored with 24 seconds to play to cap the scoring.

UMaine-Farmington held a 44-37 advantage in ground balls, won 11 of 18 faceoffs and had fewer turnovers than Thomas (37-34), but the Terriers were able to convert on two of five man-up opportunities and was successful on 21 of 34 clear opportunities. UMF was just 18-of-35 on clears.
Sophomore Connor Lamberton (Shohola, Pa. / Delaware Valley) made 15 saves in the win, while Caleb Carr had 14 for UMF.

In addition to his three goals, Kendall had three ground balls and forced a turnover. Ferris had two goals and two assists for four points, and Chute had two goals, an assist and two ground balls. Blondin recorded just one assist, but scooped up a game-high 11 ground balls. He also caused a turnover. Sheldon Jones (sr., Lewiston, Maine / Lewiston) also had an assist to go with six ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Isaac Wright led UMF with 10 ground balls and six caused turnovers. St. Pierre had three ground balls and caused a turnover to go with his three goals and an assist, while Sean Zubrod had six ground balls and caused three turnovers on the defensive end.

The teams close out the regular season with the return match in this home-and-home set at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Smith Field.