SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Western New England jumped out to an 8-0 lead after the first quarter and cruised to a 20-3 victory against Curry in Commonwealth Coast Conference action at Golden Bear Stadium on Saturday. The host Golden Bears improve to 3-6 overall and 2-0 in the CCC, while the Colonels fall even to 5-5 and 0-2 in the conference.

Senior All-America attack Adam Knapton led all scorers with five points on a goal and a season-high four assists for Western New England, which also got hat tricks from seniors Colton Craig, Sean Lawton and junior Dan McKenna. Sophomore James Kolesar came off the bench to post career highs of two goals and four points, and senior Mike Donahue (2 goals, 1 assist) and junior Garrett Mullins (1g, 1a) also enjoyed a multi-point afternoon.

Connor Arnold came off the bench to lead Curry with a goal and an assist while Connor McKeon registered two assists. Harrison Foster and Joseph Shea also scored for the Colonels, who trailed 13-0 at the intermission.

Lawton got the scoring started just 37 seconds after sophomore David Cedrone won the opening face-off and the Golden Bears never looked back. McKenna deflected in a goal off an errant pass for the first of back-to-back goals within a span of 1 minute and 25 seconds. The opening stanza ended when Craig found the back of the net as time expired.

Cedrone led a potent WNE presence at the face-off "X" by winning all five of his attempts to go along with four ground balls. Sophomore Wade Modestow added a perfect 6-for-6 in the "X" and had five ground balls to complete his career day. And freshman Joe Benincasa went 7-for-7 and scooped up five ground balls. As a team, the Golden Bears won 21 of 25 face-offs.

Goalie Daniel Martin led the Colonels on defense with 13 saves over the last 40:36 in relief of starter Timothy McNair (3 saves). Shea added a game-tying-high five ground balls.

Western New England coach John Klepacki was able to play every member of the team who was dressed, including goalies Brandon Body, Cam Gormley (4 saves), Zach Hoehing and James Chase (2 saves).

The WNE defense--headed by starters senior Jack Liacos, sophomore Drew Trebbe, freshman Steven Patrie--allowed an opponent season-low nine shots on goal.

Western New England freshman Eric Barsalou provided yet another highlight with his first career goal for the Golden Bears, who also saw Kolesar and sophomore Taylor Dubose score their first goals of the season.

Western New England, which moves to 3-1 at home, concludes its season-long four-game homestand on Tuesday (7 p.m.) when CCC rival Nichols comes to Golden Bear Stadium.  Curry will travel to face CCC opponent Gordon College also at 7:00 p.m. (Game Recap Courtesy of Western New England Sports Information)