Box Score

Polley Interview on PLN

Postgame Comments: Polley (pt. 1) | Polley (pt. 2) | J. Burr | Calisto | Wilson

BOSTON - The Boston University men's lacrosse team opened its 2016 season with a 9-5 victory over visiting Providence on Saturday afternoon at Nickerson Field.

Sophomore Jack Wilson and freshman James Burr each recorded two goals and an assist while junior Sam Talkow was dominant on faceoffs, winning 16 of 18 to help BU post a wire-to-wire victory. It marked the second consecutive year that the Terriers were victorious in their season opener.

The lone goal of the opening quarter was Burr's first collegiate goal. The Terriers then scored four goals in under four minutes in the second quarter to build a 5-0 cushion. PC finally got on the board late in the second to create a 5-1 halftime lead for the home squad.

The Terriers scored the first two tallies of the latter half to build what would be their largest lead of the contest at 7-1. They took an 8-2 lead into the final quarter, where the visitors strung together three straight goals to get within three at 8-5 before BU closed out the win.

Talkow and sophomore Ryan Hilburn each notched a goal and an assist while junior Ryan Johnston, sophomore Hayden Ruiz and freshman Drew Lukacs each found the back of the net. Lukacs' goal closed the scoring and gave him his first collegiate point.

The Terriers held large advantages in both ground balls (43-28) and caused turnovers (17-9). Talkow scooped up a game-high 12 ground balls while junior Greg Wozniak collected seven ground balls and tied classmate Craig Zebrowski in caused turnovers with three. Freshman Quintin Germain played well in his collegiate debut, joining juniors Cam Pincus and Dominick Calisto as players with two caused turnovers. That defensive trio, all of whom started, held Providence to just 19 total shot attempts and a mere 11 that were on target.

Junior Christian Carson-Banister picked up the win in goal, stopping six of the 11 shots he faced. Providence got a 12- save performance from freshman Tate Boyce in his collegiate debut.

Talkow's performance at the X was crucial in the final quarter, as he went 5-of-5 and did not allow Providence back-to-back possessions following its three goals in that 15-minute stretch.

The Terriers will return to action next Saturday (Feb. 13) when they host UMass Lowell at 1 p.m.