BROCKTON, Mass. – Junior Austin Early (Palmyra, Va.) had a goal and an assist as part of a four-goal fourth quarter as the Gordon College men's lacrosse team rallied to defeat Wentworth Institute of Technology, 9-8, in Commonwealth Coast Conference play Saturday afternoon.
With the win the Leopards even their record at 6-6 overall and fall to 1-5 in league play while the Fighting Scots improve to 5-7 (1-4).
Wentworth jumped out to a 3-0 lead on goals from sophomore Dolan McCarthy (Hyde Park, Mass.), junior Jacob Eldred (Goffstown, N.H.), and sophomore Kyle Doner (Lindenhurst, N.Y). just over five minutes into the contest before Gordon pulled within a goal with 3:33 left in the opening frame on markers from freshman Xander Miller (Shelburne, Vt.) and senior Nick Palandjian (Belmont, Mass.). Eldred put the Black & Gold ahead by two when he scored with three seconds left to make it 4-2.
Despite neither team scoring in the second quarter, both teams had chances as shots were even at 7-all. However, Gordon had four shots on goal as opposed to Wentworth's one with senior Scott Boucher (Salisbury, N.H.) making four stops in the quarter.
The Fighting Scots tallied twice in a span of 2:05 with Palandjian and freshman Tytus Moen (Agawam, Mass.) scoring to tie the game at four-all. McCarthy and Eldred sandwiched goals around a junior Jason Dantona (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) marker to give the visitors a 6-5 lead after three quarters of play.
Miller and Palandjian scored 27 seconds apart to erase the deficit and give Gordon a 7-6 lead with 13:36 remaining in the contest. One minute later, senior Brad Krueger (Chelmsford, Mass.) tied the game at 7-all. Early put the Fighting Scots ahead, 8-7, with his goal with 10:25 remaining before Dantona scored what would be the game-winning tally on a man-up situation.
Wentworth would not go away, however, as Eldred scored with 1:29 remaining to pull the Leopards within one. On the goal there was a penalty assessed, putting the Black & Gold in a man-up situation for a minute. The ensuing faceoff saw junior Peter Andersson (Madison, N.J.) earn the win and freshman Jake Renzi (Acton, Mass.) pick up the ground ball. Freshman Ben Coakley (Flemington, N.J.) took a shot in hopes of tying the game, however, sophomore Jay Gallipo (Dover, N.H.) came up with the save. With 31 seconds left, the Fighting Scots could not clear the ball as Eldred caused a turnover and junior Kilian Ryan (Saranac Lake, N.Y.) scooped up the ground ball. However, Wentworth was unable to create an opportunity to tie the game as freshman Noah Johnson (Portsmouth, R.I.) caused a turnover and scooped up the ground ball.
Palandjian had three goals while Miller had two goals and an assist and Dantona added two goals. Johnson caused three turnovers and scooped up six ground balls. Junior Luke Tremblay (Arlington, Mass.) and sophomore Tyler Pauls (Littleton, Colo.) each caused four turnovers in the win.
Eldred led all scorers with four goals while McCarthy had a pair of markers and Krueger had a goal and an assist. Junior Sean Brennan (Stony Point, N.Y.) scooped up six ground balls and Anderson and freshman Danny Bartosiewicz (North Grafton, Mass.) caused two turnovers apiece.
Gallipo made 10 saves for Gordon while Boucher had nine stops for the Leopards. Gordon had advantages in shots (36-29) and ground balls (28-27).
Wentworth hosts Lasell on Monday.
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