WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Heading into conference play and looking for their first win of the season, Emmanuel men's lacrosse made the trip to the University of Saint Joseph and came away with an 11-10 victory on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play from the USJ Sports Complex. The Saints get to 1-5 with the victory as the Blue Jays drop to 2-4 in the loss.

Saturday's win for the Saints required a comeback in the final five minutes, as Emmanuel trailed 10-9 late in the fourth. Junior Samuel Yan found his seventh of the season with 4:27 remaining, setting the stage for the eventual game-winning tally.

First-year Braxton Bragg provided the thrilling finisher at USJ, providing the winning goal in the Saints first win of 2025. From behind the cage, Bragg slid right before cutting back to his left, creating space for the rookie attack to head out front. After his cut, running past goal line extended, Bragg fired a bounce shot across his body and under the leg of the Blue Jays goalie, giving Emmanuel an 11-10 lead with 2:01 to go.

Despite the lead, the Blue Jays threat was far from over, as USJ earned the next possession with a chance to tie. The Saints defense stood strong, forcing numerous passes by the Blue Jays, as the possession clock ticked down. Saint Joseph eventually failed to connect on a pass, turning the ball over with 46 seconds left.

The Blue Jays caused one final Emmanuel turnover but with the final seconds counting down, the last-second despite heave toward the Saints end landed out of play as the horn sounded, giving Emmanuel the 11-10 victory.

Neither side led by more than two goals all afternoon with Emmanuel holding a 3-1 lead early in the second, thanks to a pair of goals by senior Sanzio DiGesualdo and one by senior Ryan Etzo.

Bragg finished with a career-high four goals to go along with five ground balls. DiGesualdo, Etzo, and Yan all finished with two goals each while sophomore Colby Enos made seven stops to earn the win and move to 1-5.

For the Blue Jays, Aiden D'Amato matched Bragg with four goals while adding four ground balls in the loss. Kevin Carr added three goals for USJ while Evan Baden chipped in with two goals and one assist. Goalie Trey McCann made 14 saves, dropping to 2-4 with the loss.

The Saints return to action in their home opener, welcoming Nichols to Clemente Field on Wednesday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m. The Blue Jays move along with a Saturday, March 22, game with Hartford at 3:00 p.m.