Warriors punch final ticket to Gillette

Powered by 11 unanswered goals to close out the first half, the Merrimack men’s lacrosse team built a 10-goal lead and never looked back, as the fourthranked Warriors beat No. 3 Adelphi, 17-9, in a NCAA Division 2 national semifinal yesterday in Garden City, N.Y.

With the win, the Warriors (15-3) qualify for their first national championship game, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro next Sunday (2 p.m.). They will face the winner of today’s other semifinal, pitting No. 3 Tampa at No. 1 Limestone.

Charlie Bertrand scored twice as Merrimack took a 4-1 lead after one quarter. The Warriors then potted 10 consecutive goals in the second quarter to take an 11-1 halftime lead.

After Adelphi (15-4) outscored Merrimack, 5-4, in the third quarter, three more goals by the hosts got them within six at 15-9 with just over five minutes to play. But the Warriors scored the final two goals of the game to lock up the victory.

Bertrand (two assists) and senior captain Tim Towler of Topsfield led the offense with four goals apiece. Kyle Stenberg also notched six points (three goals, three assists), while senior captain Max Allen added two goals and three assists.

Joey Diaco had two goals, while John Bassett and Seamus Ford of Walpole each had a goal and an assist. Goalie Edward Hellier finished with nine saves.