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Photo gallery (courtesy of Dan Ceccacci)
SCRANTON, Pa.—In a battle for sole possession of second-place, Susquehanna University pulled out an 8-7 victory in overtime against The University of Scranton in Landmark Conference men’s lacrosse action Saturday afternoon at Fitzpatrick Field.
Sophomore attackman Chet McLaughlin (Chatham, NJ/Chatham) scored two goals, including the game-winner with 1:15 left in the overtime period when he flicked a shot over his shoulder after receiving a pass from behind the cage from junior attackman Nick Reardon (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford).
The Crusaders, now 11-3 overall and 5-1 in the Landmark Conference, also received two goals apiece from junior midfielders Greg Rabiecki (Maplewood, NJ/St. Peter’s Preparatory) andJake Calder (Lutherville, Md./Dulaney) and one each from Reardon and senior midfielder Carmen Raroha (Voorhees, Bishop Eustace).
It was another heartbreaking loss for Scranton, which fell to 8-7 overall and 4-2 in the Landmark Conference. The Royals have lost two games in conference play by a total of two goals and five overall by a total of five goals.
Senior attackman Anthony Lombardo (Mendham, NJ/Mendham) led the Royals with three goals, including the game-tying goal with 27 seconds remaining after picking up a ground ball on a previous shot attempt by freshman attackman Timmy Ahern (Manhasset, NY/St. Mary’s) hit the post.
Scranton also received two goals from sophomore midfielder Nick Mullery (Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson), one each from senior midfielder Will Mahle (Montgomery, NJ/Montgomery) and junior midfielder Nicholas Swift (Lafayette Hill, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh), and an assist apiece from junior midfielders Brad Elkin (West Chester, Pa./Malvern Preparatory), Josh Kasman (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) and Alec Mikrut (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery).
Both goalkeepers played a significant role in today’s game. Susquehanna’sJared Knowlton (North Salem, NY/Kent School) made 13 saves, including six in the final period, several of which on shots attempted from close range. His counterpart, Royal junior Nicholas McKaba (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris), stopped a season-high 15 shots, including nine in the first half as Scranton built up a 4-3 lead.
The Royals extended the lead to 5-3 midway through the third period on an unassisted goal by Mullery before Calder scored back-to-back goals to ignite a 4-0 run that gave the Crusaders a 7-5 lead with 6:20 remaining in regulation. Mahle cut the lead to one with a goal set up by Elkin with 3:55 left and Lombardo tied it up with his 20th goal of the season.
Scranton will close out its regular season next Saturday, April 25, against Goucher College at Fitzpatrick Field beginning at 1:00 p.m. A win guarantees the Royals can finish no lower than third-place in the Landmark standings.
--ROYALS--
