Love Sets Program Career Points Record in Men's Lacrosse Loss to No. 5 Mercy

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team was taken down by No. 5 Mercy on Saturday afternoon in Bobcat Stadium by a score of 16-12.

Action started three minutes into the game as FSU dropped the ball, awarding Mercy a successful clear and the first goal of the game for a 1-0 lead. To answer back, junior Gregg Dort Jr. won the face-off, picked up the ground ball, and tied the game at 1-1. Dort picked up another face-off win, but FSU was forced into a turnover, allowing the Mavericks to go up 2-1. On the next face-off, the Bobcats were called for a violation, awarding Mercy the ball, as the Mavericks capitalized on the fault and scored to go up 3-1. Within the following minutes, Mercy took a 4-1 lead, in result from an unsuccessful FSU clear attempt. Mercy received a penalty, giving FSU a man-up opportunity, as senior Austin Sipes fed graduate Chase Buckwalter to get Frostburg within two, 4-2. Just before the end of the quarter, junior Landon Bruce caused a turnover, picking up a ground ball, leading to Buckwalter hitting graduate Owen McCallum for an upper ninety shot and a 4-3 game.

Mercy went on a 7-0 scoring run to start the second quarter, giving them a 11-3 lead with under six to play in the half. Another goal by McCallum stopped Mercy's takeover and gave FSU their fourth goal of the game for a 11-4 score. Mercy possessed the ball, but a high shot awarded FSU the ball. Graduate Bubba Love picked up a ground ball and connected on the fifth goal of the game for the Bobcats, for his first score of the game. Just before the end of the half, the Mavericks put another one in the back of the net to see the score at 12-5 heading into the break.

Coming out of halftime, Frostburg showed an offensive spark, as senior Luke McCullough caused a turnover which led to a ground ball picked up by graduate Evan Dere. FSU passed the ball around until Love took a shot and made it a six-goal game. Nearly four minutes later, Love had his third goal of the game, knotting a hat trick, to bring the Bobcats within five, 12-7.  Love added to Frostburg's score after Sipes found him open to cut FSU's deficit to 12-8. A quick response goal for Mercy after a face-off put the Mavericks back on top by five.  With under two minutes left in the third, Love connected on another solo goal to bring the game to 13-9. Just before the quarter ended, Mercy created a turnover followed by another score to see a 14-9 advantage after three.

Both teams saw a slow offensive start to the fourth quarter, trading turnovers, saves, and missed shots. Coming out of a timeout, freshman Henry Sykes earned his first goal of the day to put Frostburg back within four. As the face-off occurred, FSU was called for a penalty awarding Mercy a man-up opportunity, as the Mavericks took full advantage, knotting another score for a 15-10 game.  McCallum connected on another goal to bring FSU back within four once more, but with time in favor of the Mavericks, both teams traded one more goal, with Sipes assisting Love once more as well, as Mercy came out on top with a 16-12 final.  

Love led the Bobcats with six goals, as with his fourth goal of the day, Love set the new program record for career points at 223, passing all-time leader Devin Colegrove.  McCallum was next in line with three goals, as Buckwalter, Dort, and Sykes all finished with one. Senior Nick Agresta finished with six ground balls followed by Love and McCullough each with four, as junior Nate Jones collected seven saves in goal. 

With the conclusion of today's ECC matchup, Frostburg falls to an overall record of 9-3 and a conference record of 3-1 while Mercy moves to an overall record of 10-1 and a conference record 5-0. Frostburg is back in action on Wednesday, April 17 as they take on Seton Hill (Pa.) at 4 PM in Bobcat Stadium. For more information, visit frostburgsports.com.