RALEIGH, N.C. – The Husson University men's lacrosse team earned a 17-16 victory over the William Peace University Pacers in a contest that came down to the wire on Monday afternoon.
The Eagles (3-1) opened the game's scoring early in the first quarter with a goal from freshman Kiernan Field, who went on to score two in the period. The Pacers (1-2) answered back quickly, and the two teams traded scores before William Peace pulled ahead, sending the Eagles to the second period with a 4-3 deficit.
In the second quarter, a penalty on the Eagles led to a man-down situation, but a Pacers turnover on their power-play allowed Field to even the score as he netted his third goal of the game. The Eagles managed to find the back of the net twice more in the second period courtesy of freshman Owen Gray and freshman Nolan Humphreys, but exited the first half trailing 8-6.
Out of the halftime break, the Pacers struck first and increased their lead to three. But it wasn't long before the Eagles offense took flight, as sophomore Evan Carmody, senior Sean Lyne, and sophomore Owen Giorgio each slotted home goals to tie the game up at nine. Four more Pacers scores followed by a laser of a shot from senior Nathan Vibber brought the Eagles deficit back to three as they entered the fourth quarter down 13-10.
To start the final quarter of action, the Eagles capitalized on the early man-up opportunity when Lyne struck the back nylon for a second time. However, the Pacers answered quickly, and the Eagles once again found themselves down three scores.
With 11 minutes remaining in the contest, the Eagles fourth quarter offense began to click. With the Pacers in possession, Humphreys made a clean read on a pass that set up a fast break for the Eagles, which he would take all the way to the net to bring the game back within two.
Three minutes later, freshman Casey Mills working from behind the net took a leap of faith, jumping over two defenders and perfectly placing the ball over the goaltenders left shoulder for a highlight-reel goal, reducing the Pacers lead to just one score.
In quick succession, sophomore Brad Stolt executed a perfect faceoff, flipping the ball directly to Vibber, who dodged his way past several defenders, before eventually finding the open space and netting his second goal of the game.
On the ensuing faceoff, Stolt once again secured possession for the Eagles. Field, with control of the ball, zipped a pass to Gray, who fought through traffic to score and give the Eagles the lead.
The Pacers went on to score the next two goals, leaving the Eagles down one score with four minutes remaining.
A strong defensive stand gave Husson possession with two minutes remaining. The Eagles worked quickly to move the ball into their offensive end and start moving the ball. That was when freshman Brian Peabody saw Humphreys streaking down the field, left uncovered by the Pacers defense. A simple dish of the ball was all it took and Humphreys scored his third goal of the day, tying the game in the process.
With under 30 seconds remaining, Giorgio once again stepped up in a big way for the Eagles, laying a big stick check on a Pacers midfielder and causing the turnover. Giorgio wasted no time and lobbed a soaring pass in the direction of freshman Drew Held, who made the catch, stepped into a shot and struck the dagger, scoring his first collegiate goal, and giving the Eagles their third-straight win.
Sophomore AJ Torres and junior Odin Burk combined for five total saves, as the Husson defense converted all 12 of its clear attempts.
The Eagles' next stop brings them to Brevard College, where they will take on the 2-4 Tornadoes for the third game of the team's spring trip schedule.
