FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team fell 11-9 in their home opener against St. Michael's on Friday afternoon.

After winning the faceoff, the Purple Knights made three off-target shots before a turnover caused by junior Ryder Walter led to classmate Henry Sykes finding senior Graham Allison, who put the ball into the net for the Bobcats' first goal of the season. SMC came right back, forcing an FSU turnover and converting with their first shot on goal to tie the game. Their pressure continued, testing junior goalkeeper Jack Smith three times over a five minute stretch before finally getting another past him with just over four minutes left. Freshman Ayden Viscount won the resulting face-off, leading to junior Logan Yost driving through and firing home to even things at 2-2. In the last three minutes of the period, each team only got off one shot, as junior Luke Roach missed wide right and Smith smothered one to end the period all square. 

FSU started the second frame winning the face-off and earning an early shot from Sykes, which St. Michael's goalkeeper Mike Nelson saved. Within the next minute, the Knights netted a goal, then won the face-off and went up a man on a Frostburg penalty, taking full advantage for a 4-2 lead. Smith kept FSU afloat with another pair of saves, as Sykes put a pair of shots wide and junior Hayden Celio was denied by Nelson. Having fended off a minute-long penalty, SMC tacked on to their advantage with a solo goal by Mason Buckley to make the score 5-2. With five minutes remaining in the period, three goals were scored in just over a minute, one from SMC and the other two from Frostburg. Allison got things started on a solo effort after another Smith save, with the Knights responding immediately. Off a St. Michael's turnover, senior Sean Mullineaux fed the ball to Celio right in front of goal to cut the deficit to two. Just under a minute later, Roach caused a turnover, picking up the ground ball himself and driving it in for a goal, then Celio did the same, causing a turnover and firing home to tie the game at 6-6. In the final 90 seconds, both netminders ensured there would be no go-ahead goal, making three combined saves before the end of the half. 

Frostburg came out with some momentum to start the third period, as Roach, Celio, and Mullineaux all had efforts that were saved by Nelson. After two missed chances, St. Michael's restored their lead after missing the net twice as Chris Davis passed to Sean Murphy. Frostburg responded swiftly, as aided by an SMC turnover, Celio weaved his way through to tie things at 7-7. The Bobcats created a trio of chances over the next two minutes, as junior Baylor Davis and Celio drew saves from Nelson while junior Jack Hooks cannoned one off the crossbar but were unable to find the back of the cage. With just under five minutes to go and having survived the onslaught, St. Michael's scored back-to-back goals within a minute, then with seven seconds to go, Zeke Peraza made it 10-7 for the visitors headed to the fourth. 

Both goalkeepers made a save to start the finale frame, keeping things scoreless through the first three minutes. A Knights turnover changed that, as senior Matt Williams grabbed the loose ball and charged downfield, shooting past Nelson to pull within two. Williams then caused a turnover that led to Yost, Mullineaux, and Sykes all drawing stops by Nelson. Off of the final shot, a penalty on St. Michael's was called, as Frostburg took advantage through Celio finding Mullineaux for a man-up goal, putting themselves within one in a 10-9 score. The sides traded shots on target and goalkeeper saves before the Bobcats upped the pressure through senior Tyrin Long hitting Nelson and Celio and Mullineaux putting efforts wide. SMC responded over the next two minutes, getting off a pair of shots, one high and one saved by Smith. Sophomore Jackson Kanzler was then denied by Nelson, leading to a Knights possession in which they netted their desired insurance goal to go up 11-9. FSU struggled with a pair of turnovers late on, however Walter and junior Chase Kelley came up with a couple CT's to prevent St. Michael's from generating any offense. Smith made a late save while senior Hayden McCullough put the final shot of the game wide as the visitors came out with the two-goal win. 

Celio drove the offense with a hat trick and an assist, while Allison added a pair of scores. Walter led the defensive effort with a game-high five caused turnovers and groundballs. as Williams had three apiece as well. In net, Smith made 16 saves on 27 shots. 

With the loss, the Bobcats drop to 0-1 while St. Michael's improves to 1-0. FSU is back at home on Sunday, February 15, to face No. 1 Adelphi at 2 pm. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com