ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – Frostburg State freshman Michael Cronauer scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime to lift the Bobcats to a 4-3 victory over St. Mary’s College Saturday afternoon in a key Capital Athletic Conference matchup.
The Bobcats, one of just 11 schools still undefeated in the NCAA Division III ranks, improve to 10-0-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the CAC. St. Mary’s slips to 4-8 overall and 1-2 in the league.
Despite the tight finish, the Bobcats attempted a season-high 35 shots and limited the hosts to just eight shots.
However, no attempt was sweeter than the game’s final shot. FSU took nine shots in the two extra frames until Cronauer connected on the 10th shot for his second goal of the season.
Junior defender Chris Jones put the Bobcats on the board first. He headed in a Ryan Russell corner kick at 9:14 for the early 1-0 lead in the first half.
St. Mary’s answered a little under 12 minutes later when Davis Holland connected on a cross from the right side. Frank VanGessel and Rickie Kalama were credited with a double assist as the Seahawks tied the game at 1-1.
FSU, which has scored three or more goals in six games this season, grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the 39th minute. Senior Yacob Kahsai dribbled the ball towards the net and hit a hard shot that bounced off the keeper Austin Brown’s hands and into the net.
The Seahawks tied the game inside the final four minutes of the opening half (41:17). A foul was called on the Bobcats and Mike Warburton found Will Alberding on the ensuing free kick to knot the game at 2-2 just before intermission.
The action continued into the second half as each squad scored once and needed overtime to settle the final score.
The host Seahawks struck first in the second period and held a 3-2 lead for much of the half. St. Mary’s goal came via a penalty kick after a foul was called on the Frostburg goalkeeper. Matthew Braun drew the foul inside the 18 yard box and connected on the PK for his fifth goal of the season.
FSU continued its offensive surge following the penalty kick with seven shots before scoring on the eighth attempt in the 81st minute. Russell scored for the sixth time in the last seven games and raised his team leading total to 11 goals as he slipped a shot inside the near post to tie the contest at 3-3.
Frostburg had three shots over the remaining 10 minutes of regulation, including a penalty kick in the 87th minute that was saved, but it couldn’t find the game winner.
Brown finished with 11 saves for St. Mary’s while Frostburg keeper Abiye Jack made one save while earning the victory.
Frostburg State returns to action on Wednesday with a road contest at Washington & Jefferson at 7:00 pm.
