ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Frostburg State men's lacrosse team traveled to take on Roberts Wesleyan for their ECC opener in a close game that ended in an overtime loss, 12-11.
In the first quarter, the Redhawks would get the first two goals of the game within six seconds of one another for the early lead. The Bobcats would answer back with some pressure and a goal from senior Gavin Schattall. Roberts would get another goal to extend their lead back to two, as the rest of the quarter was a defensive battle, with neither side able to find the net, ending with the Redhawks in the lead 3-1.
In the second quarter, FSU got off to a nice start with a great goal from senior Matthew Ward off an assist from fellow senior Jake Bowman. The Redhawks would answer back to go up 4-2, but after a faceoff win from freshman Seamus Kearney, Ward scored another to make it a one-goal game. Frostburg began to heat up offensively, as Schattall and senior Joey Boros scored back-to-back goals within two minutes of each other to take the first Bobcat lead at 5-4. RWC was able to get a key goal with 16 seconds left in the half to tie going into halftime, 5-5.
In the third quarter, both teams would play some great defense, as each team was scoreless until the 8:41 mark on a goal from junior Bubba Love to give FSU a 6-5 lead. Again, defense was the story of the quarter, but Frostburg was able to take advantage of a man-up opportunity with a nice goal from redshirt-junior Tanner Donaldson. The Redhawks scored with just 18 seconds left to get back within one, but Boros responded with five seconds left in the third to give the Bobcats a two-goal lead going into the fourth at 8-6.
In the fourth quarter, Roberts struck first with back-to-back goals to tie things at 8-8, holding FSU scoreless for the first seven minutes of the quarter. RWC threatened again, but Kearney came up with a huge caused turnover and groundball, allowing junior Bubba Love to score 10 seconds later to take the lead back 9-8. Roberts responded with a three-goal run thanks in strong part to wins in the faceoff circle to go up 11-9 with 4:30 remaining. FSU dug in and used a costly turnover from the Redhawks to allow senior Ty Oehlerking to score, making it a one-goal game. A great faceoff win by senior Cade Price then gave Bowman the chance to score seven seconds later for the Bobcats to complete the late comeback. Senior goalkeeper Kevin Reuther came up with a big late save and Boros fired just wide at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime, 11-11.
In overtime, the Bobcats would have the first chance, as junior Evan Dere won the faceoff and ran through on goal, but was denied at the front door by the Roberts goalkeeper. Both sides went back-and-forth, with shots and turnovers from each team, but a late FSU penalty allowed RWC to get the game-winning goal in the final minute for the 12-11 victory.
Bowman and Ward each had three points on the day to lead the Bobcats offensively, while Kearney caused two turnovers and picked up a pair of groundballs and Reuther had 14 saves in net to lead the defense.
With the loss, Frostburg falls to 3-4, while Roberts Wesleyan rises to 7-1 on the year. FSU will be back in action on Wednesday, March 30 at 4 PM, where they take on Seton Hill in Greensburg, Pa. For more information and updates, visit www.frostburgsports.com.
