Men's Lacrosse Falls Just Short in Defensive Battle with No. 18 Lions

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team put up a fight in their contest with No. 18 Molloy on Saturday afternoon, falling just 7-6 at home in the team's Love Strong 51 game. 
 
Senior Alex Walstrum took the opening face-off to give Frostburg possession right off the bat, as sophomore Luke Aspnes stepped up to the challenge to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead not even a minute in.  Molloy took the next attempt from the X and marched down field for a rip at goal, but ran into senior Logan Covey, who picked up his first save.  Both teams exchanged turnovers, with sophomore Ryder Walter being credited with a CT on FSU's end.  Frostburg fought for back-to-back shots with junior Sean Mullineaux and sophomore Henry Sykes sending them in for the Bobcats, both looking to put FSU back in front.  The Lions splurged for four shots in response, with Covey racking up three saves as senior Seamus Kearney worked on the defensive end as well, earning a pair of caused turnovers.  FSU sent in two shots trying to extend their advantage, but MU was able to get on the board with 4:28 left in the first for a 1-1 game.  Covey and Walter were each credited with more stats on the defensive effort, as the Bobcats aimed two more strikes before the end of the quarter, but Molloy was able to get one by with under a minute left in the first for a 2-1 lead after one. 
 
The Lions took that momentum into the second, slotting home the first goal of the quarter to advance their edge to 3-1.  MU stayed in control to open the second, sending in two more shots, one that was denied by Covey.  After keeping Frostburg shotless to begin the second, Molloy got their third shot to go for a 4-1 game three minutes into the quarter.  Aspnes was finally able to get open for an attempt at goal for the Bobcats on offense, sending in a shot that was scooped up MU's goalie.  Covey and Walter continued to fill the stat line, with the former taking in another pair of saves and the latter racking up another CT.  The defensive battle continued, as a Covey save led to a shot from sophomore Mike Gloeckler on the opposite side of the field.  Back on the other end, Covey caused a turnover and set up FSU's break, as senior Wesley Phillips fed sophomore Luke Roach for a goal and a 4-2 score with 6:15 left in the half.  Sykes, Mullineaux, and senior Tyrin Long all set in efforts at a tally as the second finished out, as Covey took two more saves in goal to leave the halftime score at 4-2. 
 
Walter opened the third with another solid effort on the defensive end, which led to Kearney receiving the ball at midfield and racing down to an open shot to bring the game to 4-3.  Walstrum earned the next face-off in the X, as junior Christian Killoran tried to tie the game on the Bobcats next look but sent his shot high.  Both teams swapped a pair of turnovers as time went on, as Mullineaux also sent in the tying shot but was denied by the goalie.  Both squads stood solid on defense, giving up just a few shots over time as Long traded a shot for two Covey saves.  With just over two minutes left in the quarter, the Lions found the back of the net to increase their lead to 5-3.  Looking for a response before the end of the third, Aspnes tucked one behind the keeper, as Molloy got the last laugh of the quarter knotting another one for a 6-4 game heading into the fourth and final quarter. 
 
The Bobcats looked to work quickly, firing away three straight shots to begin play in the quarter, with Roach getting the fourth shot to go on a man-up opportunity.  MU then planned in their offensive half, sending in three consecutive shots as well, as none were able to find the net.  With about four minutes into the fourth, sophomore JT Calhoun tied the game at 6-6 to put the energy back on FSU's side.  Now with both teams looking for the go-ahead score, Molloy sent another one by not even a minute later to quickly take back the lead at 7-6.  The Lions kept possession on their side, with a save from Covey giving Frostburg another chance at a tie game, as the Bobcats attempted two more looks.  Two more saves from Covey kept the score the same, as FSU struggled to get a shot off for three minutes.  Now with 1:19 left in regulation, a penalty was called on the Lions, giving Frostburg a chance at a score as Aspnes tried an attempt from outside, but MU's goalie was able to make an easy save.  The Bobcats were able to run the shot clock out for Molloy on their next possession, as FSU planned out their final attempt to save the game.  Mullineaux ripped one more shot in the final seconds that went wide, as Frostburg was unable to tie the game, dropping the contest 7-6. 
 
Roach and Aspnes finished with two goals each, while Kearney and Calhoun each scored one.  Walstrum led the team in ground balls with five going 7-for-9 in the X, while four Bobcats each recorded three.  Walter led the defensive effort with four CT's, while Kearney was next with a pair.  Covey made an impressive 18 saves in goal.     
 
With the loss, Frostburg falls to 6-6 on the season, while Molloy improves to 10-3.  The Bobcats are next on the road to face their conference rival of Mercy at 12 PM on Saturday, April 12.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsorts.com.