FROSTBURG, Md. - Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team used their powerhouse offense to defeat Malone with a final score of 24-8 at Bobcat Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Frostburg got on the board first as senior Bubba Love found the back of the net just over four minutes into the first quarter. Malone quickly responded by scoring their first goal of the game 41 seconds later. The Bobcats responded showing a statement of their own by scoring eight straight unanswered goals, two which came from senior Jake Bowman and two coming from Love, who would secure a hat trick at the 5:48 mark in the first quarter. The Pioneers were finally able to add to their score, finding the back of the net with just under four minutes left in the first quarter to bring the score to 9-2. In the last four minutes of the quarter, FSU pounded in three more goals, as Bowman would secure a hat trick with three seconds left in the first. Malone scored one more goal in the quarter to bring the score to 12-3 after the first.
The Pioneers started the scoring in the second quarter connecting on a goal at the 10:47 mark, before Frostburg would go on a scoring streak again, scoring five straight goals and allowing Bowman and Love to grow their hat tricks. Malone got one back with just under three minutes to play in the half, bringing the score to 17-5 at the break.
The Bobcats came out still firing in the second half scoring five unanswered goals in the third quarter. Senior Chase Buckwalter would get in on the scoring finding the back of the net for the first goal of the third and his first of the night, followed by goals from senior Owen McCallum and junior Parker Masters. To end the quarter, junior Cole Blanche scored back-to-back goals off of back-to-back successful clear attempts for Frostburg, to bring FSU's lead to 22-5 heading into the fourth.
FSU played smart and slow offense in the fourth quarter in order to add two more goals to their lead. With just over a minute into the quarter, junior Will Hollingsworth scored his first goal of the season off a successful face off and offensive set up by the Bobcats. Freshman Shaun Gillispie pounded in his first goal as a Bobcat at the 11:35 mark off a perfect assist from Hollingsworth. Malone rallied for three more goals to bring the final score to 24-8, in favor of Frostburg.
Bowman finished the day with five goals, two assists, and two ground balls for a total of seven points. Love was right behind him with four goals, one assist, and two ground balls for a total of five points. Blanche was credited with three goals as juniors Austin Sipes and Tyler Dooley secured a pair of goals each. Eight other Bobcats captured goals as well. The duo of graduate Mitch Meckley and sophomore Nate Jones combined for a solid total of 10 saves in goal.
With the victory, FSU wins their fourth straight and improves to 4-0 on the season, where they currently sit at No.11 in the USILA Division II Top 20 poll. The Bobcats will stay at home for their next game as they host Walsh (Ohio) on Saturday, March 11 for a game time of 1 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
