Men's Lacrosse Unable to Hang Onto Early Lead in ECC Semifinal Loss to Lions

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – The Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team saw their season come to a close on Wednesday afternoon with a 19-9 loss in the ECC Tournament Semifinals to Molloy.
 
FSU started the game on the front foot, as after an early Lion turnover, the offense fired off a pair of shots before junior Graham Allison found sophomore Henry Sykes for the opening goal just over two minutes in. Senior Gregg Dort, Jr. won the resulting face-off, leading to Allison scoring a solo goal just 30 seconds later. MU took their next chance in the X, but their possession was cut short by a blocked shot, with sophomore Ryder Walter setting up the Bobcats on the clear. Following a timeout to set up the offense, senior Tyrin Long was able to find sophomore JT Calhoun for a 3-0 lead.
 
Molloy ramped up their pressure from that point, forcing senior goalkeeper Logan Covey into a string of saves and forcing a pair of Frostburg turnovers, eventually getting on the board with just under five minutes to go. The hosts swiftly took the next face-off and scored a minute later to pull within 3-2. With both teams searching to keep momentum going into the second period, Covey kept his team in the lead with a pair of late saves to stay up by one.
 
An early penalty gave the Lions a man-up goal a minute and a half in, while FSU hit the post on their next possession. Covey made another save after being down a player, but just after the penalty expired, MU took their first lead of the game, followed by another quick goal after a FO win to move up 5-3. Frostburg was able to strike back after the sides traded turnovers, as this time Molloy was whistled for a penalty, as senior Wesley Phillips fed junior Sean Mullineaux for the man-up score.
 
Once again neither side was able to hold onto the ball for an extended period of time, with Molloy getting on the board next following a pair of wide shots and groundballs. Inside the final four minutes, Covey made another key save, allowing Sykes to snake through the defense to get back within a goal at 6-5. MU was able to swing momentum all the way back onto their side in the last two minutes of the half, forcing a Bobcat turnover and scoring as a result, then goaltender Christian Michaels made a pair of saves before a goal with 17 seconds on the clock put them ahead 8-5 at the break.
 
Covey made a trio of saves coming out of the half as FSU was plagued by turnovers through the first four minutes. Their fortunes slightly changed after earning a clear, with Phillips again providing, this time to junior Matt Williams for an 8-6 game. The Lions were able to take advantage of another Frostburg turnover to maintain a three-goal gap, with sophomore Luke Roach pulling the Bobcats back within 9-7. Over the next four and a half minutes, Michaels prevented FSU from getting closer with another three saves, while MU tacked on a pair of goals 90 seconds apart to lead 11-7. With two minutes to go, Sykes passed to Roach to polish off a man-up goal, however Molloy stole the momentum back with 17 seconds left in the frame to hold a 12-8 lead after three.
 
Senior Seamus Kearney caused a turnover to start the fourth and set Frostburg up on offense, but Michaels stood tall to prevent a goal, with his team adding one of their own at the other end. Within the first five minutes, each team had penalties called against them, taking a man-up goal apiece, as junior John Serina was found by Phillips on the latter goal for a 14-9 score. The final 10 minutes were controlled by the Lions, as FSU managed just two shots for the remainder of the game and both were saved by Michaels. Meanwhile, MU added five more before the final whistle for their 19-9 victory and a trip to the ECC Championship Game.
 
Sykes and Roach led the offense with two goals apiece, while Phillips racked up a trio of assists. Kearney and Walter led the defensive effort, combining for three caused turnovers and six groundballs, while Covey made 17 saves in net.
 
With the loss, Frostburg ends their season at 7-9, while Molloy improves to 14-4.