Box Score
LAKELAND â€" Down 8-3 at halftime, Florida Southern scored eight goals of their own, in the second half, in a furious comeback attempt but a goal by the Bears’ Tyler Kotch only 47 seconds into the first sudden-death overtime period propelled Deep South Conference rival Lenoir-Rhyne to a 12-11 win over the Moccasins. With their third straight loss, the Mocs fall to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the DSC.
Like their game against Rollins, the Mocs allowed the Bears to score the first three goals of the game to take an early 3-0 lead. FSC scored back-to-back goals to cut LRU’s lead to just one with 3:02 remaining in the first quarter. The Bears however answered almost immediately off the ensuing faceoff, scoring the next goal in seven seconds to push their lead back to two. The teams would then split two more goals as the Mocs trailed the Bears 5-3 after one period of play.
The Bears defense came up strong in the second quarter shutting out the Mocs and allowing their offense to score three goals. Leading 8-3 at halftime the Mocs’ chances to recover seemed bleak but that would be far from the case.
Much like the Bears in the second quarter, the Mocs came out of halftime firing on all cylinders, shutting out Lenoir-Rhyne while tying the game with five third quarter goals. DJ Lubs would get the offense rolling scoring the first goal out of halftime but it was Chris Murphy rifling in a shot with the seconds ticking down in the third period. Murphy’s equalizer would go between the pipes with only eight seconds remaining in the period giving the Mocs the momentum heading into the fourth and (scheduled) final period.
In the fourth, LRU would strike first going up 9-8 only 13 seconds into the quarter. But the Mocs wouldn’t let the Bears get too far ahead as Kevin Naslonski tied the game up with 10:10 remaining. Two more times, Lenoir-Rhyne put the go-ahead goal into the net but the Mocs were right there to answer, scoring each time less than a minute after the Bears’ had scored.Â
After Shane Tompkins tied it up with 2:05 remaining the ensuing faceoff was won by FSC but the Mocs would lose possession not too long after. The Mocs defense came up with a big stop though, forcing the Bears to turn it over almost immediately; FSC took back possession of the ball and called a timeout with 1:21 remaining in the quarter. Looking for that go-ahead goal as time ticked away the Mocs couldn’t find an entry around the net but Naslonski got a long shot off from the right side of the cage with only seconds remaining but the shot ended up being blocked by a Bears’ defender, sending the game into overtime.
Heading into overtime both teams knew that only one goal was needed to end the game as men’s lacrosse plays four-minute sudden death overtime periods until a winner is determined. Lenoir-Rhyne received the early advantage by winning the faceoff. Kotch first sailed a shot wide right approximately 30 seconds into overtime but LRU retained possession. Kotch would get another attempt, right in front of the Mocs’ cage, putting in the winning goal on a pass from Sam Ashton.
It was the third, one-goal loss for the Mocs this season and the program’s third overtime loss as FSC is 2-3 all-time in overtime games.
Returning from injury and starting for the Mocs in goal was Logan Muether, who gave up the first seven Bears’ goals while recording no saves. Sam Hartley replaced Muether midway through the second quarter; Hartley, who fell to 1-4, allowed six goals and two saves in 36:50 of work.
Leading the Mocs offensively was Dane Sorensen who tallied a total of four points on three goals and one assist. Naslonski and Brian Weil each had three points; Naslonski scored two goals and recorded one assist while Weil scored one goal and dished out two assists. Defender Sam Penizotto picked up five ground balls and caused two turnovers on the afternoon.
Earning his seventh win of the season for LRU was Steven McGhee; he allowed 11 goals and recorded 10 saves improving to 7-1 on the season. Imari Davis led the Bears’ offensively dishing out two assists and scoring twice for a total of four points.
The Mocs will now begin a four game road schedule before the Deep South Conference Tournament in mid-April. FSC will first get started with a road trip to the Carolinas, first taking on Catawba March 28 and then Coker on March 30.
