Stepanos can't save Nassau CC

Neil Hutchinson's goal 6:37 into the fourth quarter gave Essex CC a three-goal lead en route to a 6-5 win over Nassau CC Saturday in the semifinals of the NJCAA men's lacrosse tournament at Herkimer County Community College.

Hutchinson's score made it 6-3 before Nassau CC cut into the lead late. Zach Goldbach scored with 15 seconds remaining to pull the Lions within a goal.

"We turned the ball over too much," Nassau CC coach George Powers said. "We probably had two dozen turnovers. It's no different than in basketball or football. You have to take care of the ball and we ended up playing too much defense."

Travis Crane and Hutchinson each scored twice for third-seeded Essex (14-2), which outshot the Lions 54-22. Ernestos Stepanos scored three goals and Tim Bradley made 21 saves for No. 2 Nassau CC (13-4). Stepanos and Bradley were named to the all-tournament team.

The Lions, who won the title in 2008, have fallen in the semifinals the last two seasons, but Powers said he's optimistic about next season because "two-thirds of our kids will be back."