ST. AUGUSTINE -
Trace McDonald scored with 1:52 left to go in overtime to lead No. 12 (USILA Division II Top 20) Flagler College to an 8-7 win over No. 15 Saint Leo University in a non-conference men's lacrosse game Saturday night at the Flagler Lacrosse Field on "Senior Night."
The Saints move up to 7-1, defeating their fifth ranked opponent. The Lions lose their first game of the season and fall to 5-1 after their second ranked match of the season. Flagler hosts Palm Beach Atlanic University on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
In a slow start to a long defensive game for the Saints and Lions, Flagler opened up the scoring with a four-goal run. The first two came during the seventh minute of the quarter, both within 20 seconds of each other. McDonald scored his first of two goals, followed by an unassisted goal from Colton Reynolds to close out the first quarter.
In the second quarter, both teams scored three goals a piece, with the Saints capping of their four point run from
Dylan Wilson and
Tyler Douglass.
Jack Pilla was the final goal scorer for the Saint up until the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Going down 6-5 in the fourth quarter,
Luke Burton scored the equalizer goal for the Saints off an incredible face-off win and assist from
Matt Mitrega.
In the final five minutes of the forth quarter,
Ben Nyberg put the Saints up 7-6 before the Lions tied the game in the final two minutes of the game. In overtime, the Saints defense stood tall, stopping the Lions on their first possession. McDonald capitalized on their opportunity and scored the game winning goal with two minutes left on the clock.
Defensively,
Mark Vanorski led the Saints with three caused turnovers, while
Ethan Lyles,
Brandon Grusholt and
Luke Burton had two. McDonald and Grusholt both led the team in ground balls with four while Mitrega,
Gordon Ogden III, Nyberg and Burton all had three.
John Raucci led the Lions with two goals. Aiden Knoetgen scored a goal and tallied two assists. Drew Wheeler finished with 17 saves.
Following the match, the Saints honored the careers of their 16 seniors.
