MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – Freshman
Colby Walden (Londonderry, N.H.) scored three times, while classmate
Seamus Tattan (West Roxbury, Mass.) logged four assists, but Salve Regina University broke an 8-8 deadlock with the game-winning goal as time expired to edge Plymouth State University, 9-8, in a season-opening men's lacrosse game at Gaudet Field on Saturday.
The Seahawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first quarter. PSU chipped away, pulling even at 4-4 roughly five minutes into the third quarter. Salve Regina regained the lead, 7-5, midway through the fourth, but Plymouth State used a 3-1 surge to tie the game with 1:35 remaining.
It appeared the game would be settled in overtime as graduate student
Ethan Schena (Methuen, Mass.) came up with a big save with nine seconds left. However, on a restart with roughly one second remaining, Salve Regina sent a pass in front and converted on a quick catch-and-shoot as time expired.
Plymouth State starts the year 0-1, while the Seahawks open 1-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 8, Salve Regina 9
- Plymouth State (0-1)
- Salve Regina (1-0)
How it Happened:
- Salve Regina provided all the first-quarter scoring, building a 3-0 lead.
- Tattan set up Walden for PSU's first goal in the opening minute of the second, and freshman Jack Derasmo (Wolcott, Conn.) cut the deficit to 3-2 two minutes later.
- The Seahawks restored the two-goal margin, taking a 4-2 lead into halftime.
- The Tattan-Walden connection accounted for two more goals roughly five minutes into the third to even the score at 4-4, but SRU answered again to take a 5-4 edge into the fourth quarter.
- Senior Brady Hunt (Billerica, Mass.) retied the game at 5-5 with 10 minutes to play, but the Seahawks scored twice in a 20-second span.
- Junior Aiden Renner (Phillipsburg, N.J.) sparked a late surge, scoring twice, with sophomore Blake McPherson (Windham, Maine) adding a man-up goal to knot the game at 8-8 with 1:35 remaining, setting up the dramatic finish.
By the Numbers:
- Schena finished with nine saves.
- Freshman James Celio (Amston, Conn.) had a pair of assists.
- Renner went 7-for-12 on faceoffs and scooped a game-high six ground balls.
- Sophomore Spencer Kennedy (East Lyme, Conn.) led the Panthers with three caused turnovers.
- Plymouth State held a 20-18 edge in shots on goal.
- PSU went 18-for-24 in clear attempts. Salve Regina was 22-for-28.
- The Seahawks won the ground ball battle, 29-22.
- Plymouth State was 1-for-7 with the extra man; Salve Regina was 1-for-6.
- The teams have split two prior meetings. Salve Regina eked out an 11-9 win a year ago.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits Rivier next Saturday (Feb. 21) at 1 p.m.
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