Johnson’s Late Goal Lifts Men’s Lacrosse Past Saint Joseph’s College, 8–7, on Senior Day

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ struck first just 54 seconds into the contest when junior faceoff specialist Benjamin Bausch (Holliston, Mass.) converted off the opening faceoff win to give the Blue Jays a 1–0 edge.
• The Monks responded quickly, evening the score midway through the opening quarter before pulling ahead with a goal at the 5:06 mark. Despite steady offensive pressure from USJ—including multiple looks from Pestrichello and Kennedy—the Blue Jays trailed 2–1 after one.
• SJC extended its lead to 3–1 early in the second quarter before sophomore attack Dominic Oakes (Southington, Conn.) cut the deficit to 3–2, finishing a feed from junior midfielder Brenden Tedeschi (Orange, Vt.) at the 10:28 mark. Oakes then tied the game at 3–3 moments later, converting on an assist from Kennedy with 5:52 remaining in the half.
• Pestrichello followed with a solo goal at the 2:44 mark, giving USJ its first lead since the opening minute and sending the Blue Jays into halftime ahead 4–3.
• The Monks regained the lead to start the third quarter, scoring back‑to‑back goals to take a 5–4 advantage at the 9:38 mark. Junior defenseman Mason Koloski (Lincoln, R.I.) answered for USJ, going coast‑to‑coast before burying a shot to even the score at 5–5 with 7:22 remaining.
• Saint Joseph's closed the quarter with two unanswered goals, taking a 7–5 lead into the final frame.
• USJ mounted its comeback in the fourth, as Pestrichello scored off an assist from junior attack Adam Pelletier (North Kingstown, R.I.) to cut the deficit to 7–6 at the 13:32 mark. Tedeschi then tied the game with 6:05 remaining.
• The USJ defense held firm down the stretch, with junior goalkeeper Noah Isleib (Easton, Mass.) keeping the Monks off the scoreboard. The Blue Jays were rewarded late when Oakes found a cutting Johnson, who finished the go‑ahead goal with 58 seconds remaining.
• USJ won the ensuing faceoff and ran out the clock to secure the Senior Day victory, 8–7.

The Blue Jays close out the 2026 regular season Tuesday, April 21, traveling to intrastate and conference rival Albertus Magnus College. Opening faceoff against the Falcons at Celentano Field in New Haven, Conn., is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.