PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The #3 seed Pace University Men's Lacrosse opened Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) Championship play in dominant fashion Saturday, crusing to a 16-5 victory over the #6 seed Bentley University in the quarterfinals at Northwell Stadium. The Setters controlled the game from the opening faceoff and converted five extra-man opportunities to improve to 11-4 overall while advancing to the NE10 semifinals.

Pace wasted little time taking command, building a 4-1 lead after the opening quarter. Matt Baldino opened the scoring before Colin Reese, Baldino and Cole Stevens each added first-quarter goals as the Setters dictated the pace early.

The Blue and Gold extended the lead in the second behind another offensive surge. Ian Wick and Will Danowski scored man-up goals in the opening minutes before Zach Goetze and Jake Cenci added tallies as Pace carried an 8-4 advantage into halftime.

The Setters tightened things further in the third quarter, holding Bentley scoreless while adding two more goals. Lee Poulin scored on an extra-man opportunity before Danowski stretched the lead to 10-4 heading to the fourth.

Pace put the game away with a six-goal fourth quarter. Goetze opened the period before Wick, Cenci, Danowski, Baldino, and Shae Linegar all scored during a closing 6-1 run as the Blue and Gold pulled away for the emphatic postseason win.

Baldino and Danowski each scored three goals, while Goetze posted a game-high seven points on two goals and five assists. Cenci and Wick added two goals apiece, while Poulin, Reese, Stevens, and Linegar also found the back of the net.

Kern anchored the defensive effort with 12 saves, while James Rosellon won nine face-offs, and the Setters forced 25 Bentley turnovers. Pace also converted on five of eight extra-man opportunities in one of its most complete performances of the season.

The Setters advance to face #2 seed Saint Anselm College in the NE10 Semifinals on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. on the road.