Box Score Emmitsburg, Md. (Saturday, February 29th) – In a game where it looked like all hope was lost for the Mount St. Mary's men's lacrosse team (2-3), five straight goals in the fourth quarter helped the Mountaineers survive against the Keydets of VMI (0-3) on Saturday 10-9. Noah Daniels' goal with 17 seconds left proved to be the difference in the contest. Kelly Gouin led the Mountaineer comeback and finished with four goals to lead all scorers. Joe Bethke added a goal and two assists while Justin Weick, Luke Frankeny, Sam Stephan, and Jared McMahon each registered a goal in the victory.
The Keydets got off the bus today and were ready to play from the start. Two unassisted goals from Josh Bass and Ryan Perouty had VMI up 2-0 early in the contest. After Gouin notched his first of the day, John Daniel scored to have VMI up 3-1 after the first frame. Back-to-back Mountaineer goals from Frankeny and Bethke tied up the game at three apiece. The Keydets would eventually take a 5-4 lead into the halftime break.
The Keydets did not let their foot off the gas and they dominated the third frame of this contest. Outscoring the Mountaineers 4-1 in the period with goals from four different players. VMI would take a 9-5 lead into the final quarter of play and had all of the momentum.
After a scoreless five minutes of play in the fourth, the Mountaineers would finally find the back of the net on man-up. Justin Weick was able to net his first goal of the season on a pass from Bethke to trim the VMI lead to 9-6. Down three with under six minutes to play, this is where the Gouin show began. Three straight from the Connecticut native, including the equalizer with 27 seconds left on the clock, had this game all tied at nine. On the ensuing faceoff, after a mad scramble for the ball, Noah Daniels was able to pick it up to give the Mount possession and a quick fastbreak. Not a single Keydet defenseman stepped to him and the Long Island product was able to bury the shot with 17 seconds left to play. It was Daniels' first career collegiate goal and helped the Mount survive on Saturday to top VMI 10-9.
John Daniel had a strong game for the Keydets finishing with three goals and one assist. Ryan Perouty added three points (2g, 1a) and Josh Bass put home two goals in the loss. Bill Osteen had an outstanding performance in net making 17 saves.
The Mountaineers dominated the groundball battle over the Keydets winning it 35 to 22 and forcing VMI into 22 turnovers on the day. With seven of those turnovers coming in the fourth quarter and zero turnovers committed by the Mountaineers in the fourth as well in the comeback. Sam Stephan went 11-for-23 at the X picking up four groundballs. Dylan Furnback made three saves in net to earn the victory.
Today's matchup with VMI opened up a three-game homestand over spring break for the Mount men's lacrosse team. The slate includes a matchup with #20-ranked Richmond on Tuesday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 7th against Utah. The Spiders and Mountaineers game time is set for 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
