NEW LONDON, Conn.-- Caleb Holdridge had nine points to lead Coast Guard men's lacrosse to a 17-7 victory over Wheaton in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday afternoon. The Bears are now 6-4 overall and 2-0 in NEWMAC play. Wheaton dropped to 8-4 on the season and 0-3 in the conference.

Holdridge scored six goals and had three assists to lead the Bears. Taylor Gustafson scored three times for the Bears, while Nate Gee put two away and had two assists, and Gaige Kruger had a pair of goals with one assist. Ryan Hunter scored twice, and Ian Feely and Matt Lubin rounded out the scoring for Coast Guard.

Lou Mainella led Wheaton with two goals and two assists. Alec Morin and Shane Ross each added a pair, and Ethan Powers scored one for the Lyons in the loss.

Mainella scored the first goal of the game at 9:57 in the first period for a quick 1-0 lead for the Lyons. Gee and Holdridge answered with two goals for the Bears, taking a 2-1 lead, but Wheaton answered with two of their own for a 3-2 advantage at 7:06 in the first. Holdridge tied it 3-3 at 5:28, sparking a five-goal run for the Bears, closing the first period with a 7-3 lead.

Holdridge scored his fourth of the game at 12:47 to open a low-scoring second quarter. Morin scored one for Wheaton at 7:50, and Lubin closed out the half with a Coast Guard goal at 1:09 for a 9-4 halftime lead.

Gustafson opened the third period with his first of the day at 13:41, sparking a six-goal run as the Bears extended the lead to 15-4. Powers and Mainella scored the final two goals of the third, trailing 15-6.

Gustafson scored his third of the day at 14:15 in the fourth before Ross put one away for Wheaton at 10:08. Holdridge closed out the game with his sixth goal with 19 seconds remaining for the 17-7 final.

Dan Lucas made 15 saves in the win for the Bears, and Matt Reheuser had two saves during his 3:27 minutes of action. John Drew made 17 saves for Wheaton in the loss.

Coast Guard won 20 of 27 faceoffs and outshot Wheaton 67-40.

The Bears are back in action next Saturday, April 9, on the road at Clark at 7 PM.