Men's Lacrosse Shows Perfect Face-Off Performance to Take ECC Opener Over Saints

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Lacrosse team used an impressive outing on defense and in the X on Saturday afternoon, taking their ECC opener 10-3 over D'Youville. 
 
Senior Alex Walstrum won the first face-off for Frostburg, as sophomore Baylor Davis took the first shot of the game for either team but was denied by D'Youville's goalie.  Junior Matt Williams started the dominant force on defense for the Bobcats, being credited with a caused turnover to give possession back to FSU.  Sophomores Jack Hooks and Henry Sykes both ripped in shots at goal, but the Saints were able to strike first for a 1-0 lead six minutes in.  Off another face-off scooped up by Walstrum, Sykes fed Davis right away for the equalizer to sit the game at a 1-1 score.  Over the next minute, senior Gregg Dort Jr. received two face-off dubs, as DYU found the back of the net, as well as sophomore Luke Roach to keep the game tied at 2-2.  Frostburg took their first advantage of the game when senior Wesley Phillips dished to Davis for his second goal, putting FSU in front 3-2 heading into the second. 
 
Senior Blaine Karotko looked to start the offense in the second quarter for the Bobcats, as D'Youville racked up another save.  Senior Logan Covey caused a turnover from the Saints during his time in goal, clocking a save on DYU's next attempt at a score.  Senior Tyrin Long and Roach looked to expand the Bobcats' lead, but both their attempts ended up in the stick of D'Youville's keeper.  Covey stood tall in goal once again on the Saints' next try in, as after back-to-back shots from Davis and Sykes, Phillips found Karotko in front of the net for a 4-2 game.  Dort Jr. took the next faceoff attempt, with senior Drew Mullineaux picking up the ground ball, as neither team saw any action for a span of minutes.  Sophomore Ryder Walter earned himself a CT, while Covey recorded another save in goal.  Frostburg fired away four more shots to end the half, compared to one from D'Youville, as the Bobcats showed a 4-2 lead at the break. 
 
The third quarter started off all FSU, as Dort Jr. was credited with the face-off win, as Mullineaux got the ground ball.  Roach, Phillips, and sophomore Luke Aspnes all found themselves with a shot, but none were able to find the back of the net.  Williams coughed up a turnover from the Saints on their first time down the field in the half, as both teams swapped possession.  Davis exchanged shots with DYU, with Covey being given another save, all before Davis found Aspnes for another strike, advancing Frostburg's edge to 5-2.  Walstrum quickly worked the X, taking the ball down field for a chance at another goal for Frostburg, but his shot was batted away by the goalie.  Off another save from Covey, the Bobcats marched down field to extend their lead to 6-2, as Roach found the back of the net off an assist from Aspnes.  Both teams traded shots as Covey left nothing by, helping set up FSU's offense once again.  Hooks was finally able to get one to go in the third, slicing one home to increase Frostburg's advantage to 7-2 after three. 
 
Once again Dort Jr. worked to take the face-off to open the quarter, setting up Davis for another attempt inside as he sent it wide.  Covey again stood in the way of D'Youville's first look at goal in the fourth, looking to keep the Saints scoreless for another quarter.  Covey was given one more save before DYU found their first goal since the first to move the game to 7-3 with just over three gone in the fourth.   Davis and sophomore JT Calhoun looked to get the goal back on their next tries, both aiming off target.  Aspnes and Walter continued the Bobcats success on the defensive end, both being awarded a caused turnover.  Calhoun and Roach both sent in the next two tries for Frostburg, as on the team's third try, Aspnes got one to go off a feed from Phillips to move the game to 8-3.  Two minutes later, FSU struck again, as Roach took the ball in himself, knotting his third of the day for a 9-3 score.  D'Youville's next look hit the post, as Williams was credited with a duo of CT's to keep the Saints out of their offensive half.  Roach and Hooks both sent in one more attempt on the day, but to finish out the game, Sykes found Phillips for a score to leave the final at 10-3 in favor of the Bobcats.
 
Roach led Frostburg offensively with three goals, while Davis and Aspnes were next with two goals and an assist each.  Mullineaux led the team in ground balls with seven, while Williams was next with six to go along with his team-high four caused turnovers.  Walstrum and Dort Jr. combined for a perfect face-off performance, both going 8-for-8 in the X.  Covey racked up 10 saves on the day. 
 
With the win, Frostburg moves to 3-3 on the season, while D'Youville drops to 4-5.  The Bobcats next start their four-game road trip, traveling to Colchester, VT on Tuesday, March 18 for a 1 PM match with Saint Michaels.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.