HENNIKER, N.H.-- New England College knocked off Maine Maritime 15-5 in a North Atlantic Conference men's lacrosse game Saturday. The Pilgrims improved to 1-0 NAC, 2-4 overall while the Mariners fell to 0-1, 0-5.

Alex Hermes and Tom Houle paced MMA with two goals each. 

Brian Gillies led the Pilgrims with a game-high five scores, Adam Shute netted three shots and James Putney added two.

The Pilgrims jumped out to 2-0 lead on scores from Gillies and Putney before Hermes won the ensuing face-off and deposited a shot to make it 2-1. NEC scored twice in 30 seconds before the Mariners added a late score by Nick Betti to end the first quarter trailing 4-2.

Houle and Putney traded scores to open the second before the Pilgrims netted two straight to lead 7-3 with 4:20 left. Hermes made it 7-4 before Putney answered with 2:09 left. Houle scored his second goal before Gillies found the back of the net to keep NEC ahead 9-5 at the break.

The Pilgrims scored six unanswered goals in the second half to put the game out of reach.

Cody Kitson stopped six shots to earn the win in goal while Erik Milles picked of the loss despite stopping 16 shots.

The Mariners return action Sunday against Mass. Maritime for the Admirals Cup. Game time is 1 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine.

SCORE BY PERIOD       1  2  3  4  Tot

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Maine Maritime......  2  3  0  0 -  5

New England College.  4  5  2  4 - 15

Maine Maritime SCORING: GOALS: Alex Hermes 2; Thomas Houle 2; Nick

Betti 1. 

ASSISTS: Bronson Guimond 2; Nick Betti 1. 

New England College SCORING: GOALS: Brian Gillis 5; Adam Shute 3; James Putney 2; Koda-Wataka Robinson 2; Pat Miles 1; Chris Collins 1; Tim Barnard 1. 

ASSISTS: James Putney 4; Pat Miles 2; Chris Collins 1; Brian Gillis 1; Liam Peck 1; Tim Reilly 1. 

GOALIES - MMA: Erik Milles 0-5 (60:00 minutes, 31 shots-16 saves, 15 GA); NEC: Cody Kitson 4-3 (29:40, 10-6, 4) , Chris Galluzzo (30:20, 8-7, 1).