NORTH CANTON, Ohio – The Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team dropped their season opener 13-8 to Walsh on Saturday afternoon.
 
In a fast-paced start to the game, senior Gregg Dort, Jr. won the opening face-off and raced downfield for a shot that went wide, while at the other end senior Nate Jones made the first save of the game followed by classmate Seamus Kearney causing a turnover. Just 30 seconds after a Bobcat turnover, the Cavaliers got on the board with a goal from Ty Pilkington. Over the next six minutes, both goalkeepers traded saves and each side had a turnover. FSU was able to take advantage of one, as junior Will Stephanos scooped up a groundball and took it the length of the field for a solo goal. The Bobcats fended off a man-down penalty and fired off several shots at the Walsh net, but weren't able to get past keeper Alex Movshin. WU ended the period with 36 seconds left on three shots, one saved by Jones, one wide, and one that found the goal for a 2-1 lead after one.
 
The Cavaliers quickly opened the second off a Frostburg penalty with an early goal. Over the next five minutes, FSU peppered the Walsh goal with shots, but weren't able to beat Movshin or the post, keeping the deficit at two. While keeping the Bobcats off the board, WU turned their defense into offense consistently throughout the rest of the period, going on a 6-0 run the rest of the way to hold a 9-1 lead at halftime.
 
As had been the case early in the first two quarters, Frostburg started out the third on the front foot, but couldn't make their attacking advantage count, with Walsh taking advantage of yet another penalty for a man-up goal. Having gone nearly a half hour of gametime without finding the net, Dort finally broke through after earning a face-off violation, getting past Movshin. A minute and a half later, senior Tyrin Long tacked on a solo goal to give the Bobcats some life. The Cavaliers were whistled for a penalty in the aftermath, as with senior Alex Walstrum winning the face-off, sophomore Luke Roach put home the power play for a 10-4 score. Momentum kept on FSU's side on yet another man-up goal, with senior Wesley Phillips scoring, then added another a minute later to pull within four. Inside the final 20 seconds, Walsh tried to recapture some balance with a goal, but off the face-off, Walstrum picked up the loose ball and found senior Seamus Kearney to tuck home an 11-7 third period final.
 
Just two minutes into the fourth, sophomore JT Calhoun received a pass from Roach and fired home to make it a three-goal game. A costly turnover by the Bobcats gave Walsh a chance to score, which they took advantage of a minute later. The next 10 minutes featured heavy Cavalier pressure, as Jones was forced into another four saves while a shot also hit the post, as FSU couldn't provide much offensively. With three minutes to go, WU effectively put the game away, as an AJ Harrison goal put things at 13-8, which ended up being the final score.
 
Phillips led the Bobcats with a pair of goals, while Jones made 13 saves in net. Kearney helped lead the defensive effort with four caused turnovers and four groundballs.
 
With the loss, Frostburg begins the year 0-1 while Walsh improves to 1-2. The Bobcats host their first game of 2025 on Sunday, March 2 against Saint Anselm at 12 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.