FROSTBURG, Md. - The Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team took on the District of Columbia in a convincing 17-8 win to get to a winning record for the first time since late March. 

In the first quarter, both sides struggled with turnovers at the start, though FSU would kick the scoring off five minutes in with a goal from senior Gavin Schattall. The Bobcats would get another goal from junior Bubba Love just a minute later for a 2-0 lead. After some great saves from senior goalkeeper Kevin Reuther, Frostburg would get into gear in the last five minutes of the quarter, starting with back-to-back goals from senior Jake Bowman. Senior Matt Ward would add a goal to his column, with Schattall and junior Chase Buckwalter scoring each side of a UDC goal to end the quarter with the Bobcats in the lead, 7-1.

In the second quarter, FSU started off strong just 40 seconds in with a goal from junior Owen McCallum off a feed from Bowmna. Bowman would score himself with an assist from Love, who then was provider again for a goal from freshman Seamus Kearney with the score at 10-1. Schattall, sophomore Austin Sipes, and Ward each scored at the end of the quarter to take the goal streak to seven, as Reuther and the defense stifled the Firebird offense, not allowing any goals in the quarter to take a 13-1 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, UDC won the opening faceoff and went straight down the field to score in 11 seconds, though both sides would settle down for the next five minutes. Ward got his hat trick with just under nine minutes left, following some solid goalkeeping from senior Mitch Meckley. The Firebirds stuck around with back-to-back goals, with McCallum getting FSU back on track with a fine goal. UDC got the last goal of the quarter with just over five minutes left, but Meckley made three saves down the stretch to keep the Bobcats in the lead 15-5.

In the fourth quarter, Frostburg  took advantage of a Firebird turnover to get a goal from freshman Blaine Karotko off an assist from fellow freshman Tyrin Long. UDC scored two goals 30 seconds apart to bring things to 16-7, but the Bobcats would answer back with a goal from junior Austin Linn. The Firebirds would get the last goal of the game, but some great saves from freshman goalkeeper Cole Russ keep things scoreless for the final eight minutes, ending the game with a 17-8 Bobcat victory.

Bowman had a game-high four points on three goals and an assist, with Ward and Schattall each adding three goals for the offense. Defensively, Kearney, senior Jake Sprecher, and freshman Landon Bruce kept the UDC offense at bay with a combined nine caused turnovers and 12 groundballs. Reuther earned the win, allowing just one goal in the first half on seven saves, followed up by a combined 10 saves from Meckley and Russ in the second half. 

With the win, FSU rises to 7-6 while the Firebirds fall to 1-7 on the season. Frostburg will be back in action at home on Saturday, April 23 at 1 PM for their Love Strong Game against Saint Thomas Aquinas. For more information and updates, visit www.frostburgsports.com.