Courtesy of Wesleyan University
MIDDLETOWN, CT - The Amherst College men's lacrosse team rallied from a two-goal deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game against the Wesleyan University Cardinals on the road this afternoon. Unfortunately, the Lord Jeffs saw the Cardinals score the game-winner with just 1:10 left, and then had the equalizer turned away with 15 seconds to go to fall 9-8.
Amherst fell behind 1-0 just 1:01 into the game on a goal by Wesleyan's Lonny Blumenthal. The Lord Jeffs responded with four consecutive goals in the first period to take a 4-1 lead. During the scoring spurt, Amherst's Tom McDonnell (Manhasset, NY) scored his team-leading 29th and 30th goals of the season. He would later add his 31st in the fourth quarter for a crucial score.
The two teams traded scores, before Wesleyan reeled off four straight scores, including three in a row by Grayson Connors. The streak put the Cardinals back on top 6-5, before Amherst senior tri-captain T.J. Jackson (Haverford, PA) tied the game with 4:06 to play in the third quarter.
Wesleyan closed the third quarter, and started the fourth quarter, with back-to-back scores to take an 8-6 lead. The Lord Jeffs turned to junior Brett Miller (Wantagh, NY) to create scoring chances to equalize. The attackman assisted on consecutive goals to tie the game with 10:19 to play in regulation. The tying goal came from McDonnell for his hat trick. Miller ended the day with a game-high six points, on five helpers and a goal.
Neither team scored until the 1:10 mark of the fourth quarter when Russ Follansbee netted the eventual game-winner. Amherst took the following face-off, and put a shot on goal with 15 seconds left, but had it turned away to fall 9-8. Cardinal goalie Mike Borrero made nine saves in the game, none more crucial than the last one. Amherst goalie Matt Pietroforte (Brooklyn, NY) was excellent for the Jeffs, making 16 saves to keep the comeback effort alive.
Amherst falls to 6-5 on the year, and just 1-4 in the NESCAC. Amherst will need to win a few conference contests to avoid missing the post-season tournament in a few weeks. The Lord Jeffs return to action on Saturday when they host Williams College for a 1 p.m. game.
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