BABSON PARK, Mass.-- Caleb Holdridge scored three goals to lead Coast Guard men's lacrosse to a 9-6 victory over Babson to open up New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday afternoon, the first meeting since the 2021 NEWMAC Championship game. The Bears won their fourth consecutive game and improved to 4-2 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. The Beavers dropped to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the NEWMAC.

Holdridge had a game-high three goals to lead the Bears and Ian Feely scored twice in the win. Nate Gee chipped in with one goal and four assists, and Ryan Hunter, Dan Zarillo, and Taylor Gustafson each added a goal for Coast Guard.

Lee Sipes led Babson with two goals, and Colt Bordonaro, Matt Stucchi, Ford Carney, and Chi Chi Price each added a goal for the Beavers.

Coast Guard used a five-goal run in the first period with goals from Feely, Holdridge, Gee, and Zarillo to take a 5-0 lead. Babson answered in the second period with two goals of its own to make it 5-2 at the half.

Gustafson extended the lead to 6-2 at 12:17 in the third. The teams traded goals back and forth, but Coast Guard held a 7-4 edge at the end of the third period.

Spies scored the opening goal of the fourth period for Babson, cutting the deficit to 7-5, but the teams again traded goals in the final minutes, including a Holdridge goal with 27 seconds left to play to secure the 9-6 victory over the defending NEWMAC champions.

Coast Guard was 11-19 in face-offs and had a 36-29 advantage in shots.

Dan Lucas made a season-high-tying 12 saves in goal for the Bears. Mac Mowat had 12 saves for Babson, and Will Parducci had two saves in the loss.

The Bears are back in action at home on Wednesday, March 30 at 7 PM against #2/9 Wesleyan.