Men's Lacrosse Uses Fourth Quarter to Steal Road Victory against Wheeling

WHEELING, W.Va. – The Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team won their first road game of the season on Saturday, holding on to defeat Wheeling by a final score of 9-7. 
 
Frostburg won the first face-off, as Wheeling fired away the first shot of the contest but was denied by senior Logan Covey in goal.  Sophomore JT Calhoun sent in the first attempt for the Bobcats on the day but was also turned away by the keeper.  Off FSU's attempt, the Cardinals were able to strike for a 1-0 lead just two minutes in.  WU quickly capitalized off the face-off, seeing another score not even a minute later to jump ahead 2-0.  The Bobcats struggled to set up their set in their offensive half, before senior Wesley Phillips took another rip at goal for Frostburg but was blocked.  With 5:42 left in the first, Calhoun fed junior Sean Mullineaux for FSU's first score of the game to bring the game to 2-1.  That quickly sparked the Bobcats rally, with Phillips then sending in another hard strike, this time finding the back of the net for a tie game. With Frostburg then standing in the way of Wheeling's next attempt, the Bobcats took the ball down field for another strike from Mullineaux, this time off a dish from Phillips, to sit FSU on top 3-2.  Not even a minute later, senior Alex Walstrum won the face-off, helping set up sophomore Luke Roach for a tally to put Frostburg in the lead 4-2 after four unanswered goals in the first. 
 
Sophomore Henry Sykes started off the second with a hard strike that hit the crossbar, as the Cardinals' first attempt of the quarter was sent high.  Covey was credited with a caused turnover, as on the third shot in a two-minute span from FSU, Mullineaux found the back of the net again, this time off a feed from sophomore Jack Hooks to increase the Bobcat's advantage to 5-2.  Off the face-off win from senior Gregg Dort Jr, Phillips connected with Mullineaux once again to move the score to 6-2 with just over six gone in the second.  The Bobcats stood in the way of WU's next two tries at a score, until Wheeling was able to sneak one by to cut their deficit in half.  Just over two minutes later, senior Tyrin Long took the goal back, snagging one home unassisted for a 7-3 score.  Sykes saw another try at goal, as Covery racked up another save before the Cardinals put one more in before the half to show a 7-4 game at the break. 
 
Junior Graham Allison saw the first shot of the third, as Wheeling connected on their second attempt of the quarter to cut the score to 7-5.  Walstrum won the next face-off, racing down field for a quick save but was unable to get it by the keeper.  Covey recorded a pair of saves as time went on, with Mullineaux and Calhoun each sending another one in on target.  Senior Seamus Kearney got in on the CT action, all before WU sliced another home to get within one.  With 1:12 left on the clock in the third, Wheeling put one more by to tie the game at 7-7 heading into the fourth and final quarter. 
 
Looking to keep their momentum and regain the lead, the Cardinals earned the first two shots of the fourth but missed off target.  After senior Blaine Karotko fired one in, freshman Jack Laye found Roach for his second score, giving Frostburg an 8-7 edge.  FSU's energy started to pick up when they needed it most, seeing six consecutive shots.  Covey stood tall in goal, getting in the way of WU's first try in several minutes.  Sophomore Luke Aspnes and Mullineaux both tried to advance the Bobcats' margin with under five to play but were both denied.  With 1:07 left in regulation, Mullineaux fed Hooks for Frostburg's insurance goal, helping the Bobcats snag the 9-7 victory. 
 
Mullineaux led FSU's offense with four goals and an assist for a team-high five points, while picking up three ground balls as well.  Roach knotted a pair of goals, as Phillips finished with a goal and two assists.  Dort recorded a team-high seven ground balls, while junior Matt Williams saw three caused turnovers on defense, and Covery recorded seven saves in goal. 
 
With the win, Frostburg improves to 2-2 on the season, while Wheeling also goes to 2-2.  The Bobcats stay on the road, heading to Homewood Field in Baltimore, MD on Tuesday, March 11, where they will host Wilmington (Del.) at 7 PM.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.