It was a wild weekend for the UR men’s club lacrosse team, hosting back-to-back games under the lights at Fauver Stadium. After dropping their first contest against Grove City College two weekends ago, the team got back on track with great performances on Friday and Saturday.
On March 24, the Yellowjackets played host to Grove City in UR’s first men’s lacrosse game in three years. It was a defensive battle from the opening whistle, and the score was tied 2-2 at halftime. In the second half, Grove City scored two early goals, but UR didn’t give up and responded with a goal to cut the lead to 4-3. From that point on, the two teams traded goals but neither could put a run together, resulting in a 5-7 loss for the ‘Jackets. Despite the final score, the team was happy with their level of play in their first game.
“We faced a far more established lacrosse program that was already into its spring season, and we managed to match that high quality of play and athleticism,” sophomore defenseman Jamie Scheu said. “The kind of lacrosse that was exhibited Friday night promises a very successful season ahead.”
This past Friday, UR took on Buffalo State College at Fauver Stadium, and absolutely dominated the Bengals, winning 12-3. Senior attacker Dave Ferris led the charge with six goals. Senior Ben Leaverton, junior Pat Wahl and sophomore Sean McMahon chipped in two goals each. The final score is a testament to UR’s strong defense as well as freshman goalie Jason Gershowitz.
The next day, the Yellowjackets were back on the field for a game against Hobart College. UR was dominated on all fronts in the first half by the Statesmen and trailed 5-1 at halftime.
The second half was a completely different story. UR came out of the locker room on fire, and in the fourth quarter they trailed by only two goals. That’s when Wahl came around the back of the net and ripped a shot on goal as he got pounded by a Hobart defenseman. Wahl ended up on the turf, but his shot found the back of the net and UR trailed by only one.
On the ensuing possession, Hobart tried to run out the clock. UR’s scrappy defense took contol, however, and with less than a minute left to play, Ferris scored the game tying goal to force overtime.
In the sudden-death overtime period, the Yellowjackets dominated Hobart in terms of possession, but the Statesmen’s goalie was in top form, stopping numerous shots from UR. The ‘Jackets refused to get frustrated, and about halfway through the period Ferris fed sophomore midfielder Julian Barron, who scored the game-winning goal.
The Yellowjackets will play their last two home games of the season on Friday and Saturday. Both games will start at 7 p.m.
Moeller can be reached at amoeller@campustimes.org
