RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (March 8, 2008) – Trailing 9-1 in the third quarter, Springfield College scored nine unanswered goals over the final 24:18 of the game en route to a 10-9 victory over the 19th-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men's lacrosse team during a driving rainstorm on Saturday afternoon at Maple Park Field in Ridgewood, N.J. Junior attacker Jake Beebe's (Sudbury, Mass.) goal with 36 seconds remaining capped a remarkable rally by the Pride (2-2), who outscored the Ducks 7-0 in the fourth quarter.
Stevens (1-2) broke a scoreless tie midway through the first quarter when junior midfielder Eric Smith found the back of the net off a feed from junior midfielder Matt Keating. On the ensuing faceoff, sophomore midfielder Bobby Steinhauser won the draw, raced down the middle of the field, and found senior attacker John Dolny for a goal.
After Springfield scored to close to within 2-1, the Ducks rattled off seven consecutive goals to open a 9-1 lead. Sophomore attacker Josh Holmes and Dolny combined for four goals during that stretch for Stevens, which led 7-1 at halftime. The Ducks also received goals from sophomore attacker Daniel Prakopcyk, senior midfielder Frank Sorrentino, and junior midfielder Jaeke Donahue during that run.
Back-to-back goals by junior midfielder Tyler Montgomery (Brunswick, Maine) began to turn the momentum in the favor of the Pride. Down 9-3 at the start of the fourth quarter, Springfield scored three goals in the first four minutes of the period to cut the deficit to three (9-6). With 2:35 remaining in regulation, junior midfielder Jake Jones (Amherst, Mass.) scored to tie the game at 9-all. Beebe came up with the game-winner on an unassisted play in the final minute.
Dolny led the Ducks with three goals. Holmes finished with two goals and an assist. Steinhauser won eight faceoffs. He also had six ground balls and two caused turnovers. Freshman goalkeeper Dave Decker made 12 saves on the day for Stevens.
Montgomery finished with three goals and an assist for Springfield. Beebe registered two goals and two assists. Junior midfielder Chris Jez (Somers, Conn.) went 13-for-23 in faceoffs and had eight ground balls. Junior goalkeeper Tom Albano (Ridgewood, N.J.) made eight saves in net for the Pride.
For the game, Springfield out-shot Stevens 40-33. The Pride held a 10-2 advantage in shots in the fourth quarter. Springfield had 36 ground balls to 31 by the Ducks. The Pride won 13-of-23 faceoffs, including all eight in the final period. Both teams were 1-for-3 in extra-man opportunities.
Stevens will be back in action on Saturday, March 15 when it plays its first-ever Empire 8 game at Utica College. That contest will begin at 1 p.m. in Utica, N.Y.
