PAXTON, Mass. – The Husson University Men's lacrosse team secured its sixth win of the season, 9-8, in overtime over the Anna Maria College Amcats on Wednesday evening.
Freshman Kiernan Field started it off offensively for the Eagles (6-3), scoring the game's first goal with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Amcats (3-2) would go on to even the score at one heading into the second quarter.
In the second period, Field once again gave the Eagles the lead, notching his second score of the day. Sophomore Drew Clinch also got in on the offensive action, sending the Eagles to halftime with a 3-2 lead.
The Amcats did not back down in the second half, starting the third period by tying the game at three apiece. The Eagles would regain their lead by way of two scores from freshman Owen Gray. The Eagles and Amcats would go on to trade goals to close the third, as Gray captured the hat-trick, and Husson entered the fourth quarter with a 6-5 lead.
The Amcats began the final period of action hot, scoring two goals within the first four minutes of play, taking a 7-6 lead.
With seven minutes to go in the fourth, an Amcats penalty gave the Eagles a man-up possession. Through good ball movement on the offensive end, the Eagles were able to free the hands of sophomore Owen Giorgio, who wound up from range and sniped the top corner of the net from long distance, knotting the game at 7-7.
With under five minutes to go in regulation, a great defensive play by freshman Matt Richardson and freshman Connor Chase gave Husson possession on a fastbreak opportunity. A narrowly missed shot from senior Nathan Vibber allowed the Amcats to settle in on defense, but that didn't phase the Eagles, as Vibber made a tough feed through a tight window to freshman Nolan Humphreys, who placed a nice bounce shot in front of the Amcats goaltender and once again gave the Eagles the lead.
Less than a minute later, the Amcats answered back, and the fourth quarter ended in a draw, sending the contest to overtime.
The sudden death period opened with a hard fought faceoff won by the Amcats, giving Anna Maria the first possession. The Amcats tried to catch the Eagles off guard by leaving their faceoff specialist on the field, resulting in sophomore Brad Stolt staying on to play defense, but the Eagles' faceoff man stood strong and played his assignment well.
Two and half minutes into the period, the Amcats made the first move, driving towards the net in an attempt to close the game without giving the Eagles a chance to possess. But that was when Chase made the play of the game, stripping the Amcats attackman and feeding the ball to goaltender junior Odin Burk.
Moving quickly, Burk delivered a strike up the field to Humphreys who smartly settled the ball and began to run the Eagles offense. A series of passes on the left side of the field manipulated the Amcats defense, leaving Field open with just enough space to drive to the net and deliver the decisive score.
Burk played an impressive game in net for the Eagles, saving 60% of the Amcats shots on goal and helping the Husson defense convert on 20 of 26 clear attempts.
The Eagles next contest leads them back home to Bangor, where they will play their conference opener against the SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tigers on Saturday.
