Press Release Written by Nathan Foltz
BALTIMORE, Md. - - The Wilmington University men's lacrosse team fought its way through another closely contested match on Wednesday but ultimately fell just short to Frostburg State 7-6 in a neutral-site game at Johns Hopkins University.
The loss was Wilmington's first this year against a team unranked in the week's United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association poll, though the Bobcats received votes after taking wins against #12 Bentley and #14 Mercy to sit just outside the Top 20.
Frostburg State got on the board first at just 42 seconds into the contest before scoring again 38 seconds later, pinning them to a quick 2-0 advantage. Andrew Dzubak was able to return the favor a little over seven minutes into the game, but the Bobcats picked up another goal between his strike and the end of the quarter to put their lead back to two. Frostburg was able to score the first two goals of the second quarter as well (one while down a man), building up to their largest lead of the game at 5-1.
It was all Wilmington for the next 30 minutes of play, though, as Tyler Quinn and Dzubak got the rally started by closing the gap to 5-3 before halftime. The Wildcats were then able to shut out FSU in the 3rd, as the defense caused three turnovers and Daniel Flynn saved the only shot on goal he faced. Another Dzubak goal at the 3:24 mark drew the score to within one, and then Ian Betts knotted things up off a pass from Gavin Paraschak with about 16:30 to play. Paraschak had his name called again with 8:34 on the clock, this time for scoring an unassisted goal that finally gave Wilmington their first lead of the game at 6-5.
The lead didn't last long, though, as Frostburg responded 72 seconds later with their second man-down goal of the contest to re-tie the game. They tacked on another for the lead less than 90 seconds later at even strength, and that was where the score remained through the final horn. The Wildcats took three shots in the closing six minutes, but only one of them was on goal. They had an opportunity to go down the field and take one last shot with under a minute to go after a save by Flynn, but the ball was turned right back over to the Bobcats as they failed to finish off their comeback.
Wilmington had seven man-advantage opportunities throughout the game, but failed to score in the five and a half minutes they were up. Conversely, the Wildcats didn't send a man to the penalty box for the first time this year, which helped keep them in it till the end.
Andrew Dzubak again led the Wildcats with three goals on seven shots. Gavin Paraschak, Ian Betts, and Tyler Quinn all had a goal each, while Paraschak had two of the team's three assists. Quinn Tracy was the team leader in ground balls with four, and Josh Weston was right behind him with three. Tracy also caused two Bobcat turnovers.
Connor Widmer had a 9-for-14 success rate on face-offs to give Wilmington a 9-7 advantage.
In goal, Daniel Flynn made nine saves on 16 shots faced.
The Wildcats will be back home for their next three games, first taking on Chestnut Hill this Saturday. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm at the WU Athletics Complex.