The Clarkson University Men's Lacrosse team won its first game of the season on Sunday with a convincing 16-4 victory over New England College in the opening game of the Golden Knights' annual spring trip to Florida.

Eleven Knights scored goals in the balanced attack against the Pilgrims led by senior Patrick Ryan’s (Canton, NY) three-goal, two-assist outing. Senior Sean Pearce (Auburn, NY) added two goals and two assists and classmate Marty Reid (Hamburg, NY) chipped in two goals and one assist. Sophomore AJ Heiligman (Webster, NY) also scored twice as Clarkson held an 11-0 lead at the half. The Knights added two more goals in the third quarter and closed out the win with  three goals over the final 15 minutes

Back in form after an injury-plagued 2003 campaign, senior Jim Lavelle (Hamburg, NY) scored a goal and three assists. Junior Rich Burritt (Oswego, NY) recorded four assists. Sophomore Ryan McMahon (Baldwinsville, NY) and freshman John Masterpole (Marcellus, NY) tallied one goal and one assists each.

Senior Matt Owen (New Philadelphia, OH) and junior Andrew Branson (Marcellus, NY) scored one goal apiece. Senior Derek Macioce (Massena, NY) and sophomore Eric Rodstrom (Falmouth, ME) also contributed offensively with their first career goals.

Senior captain Ryan Bodkin (East Amherst, NY) set up two scores, while junior Andrew Branson (Marcellus, NY) and sophomore Brian Hanlon (Marcellus, NY) recorded one assist apiece.

All-America goaltender, junior Joe Zebrowski (Liverpool, NY) started for the Knights and posted six saves while shutting out New England over the opening 30 minutes. Senior Brian Pratt (Randolph, NJ) made five saves while allowing three goals through 24 minutes of play. Sophomore Dustin Mackin (Falmouth, ME) closed out the game in the Clarkson goal with three saves.

At 1-2 overall, Clarkson will face Wesleyan University on Thursday at Jupiter Community Park in West Palm Beach.