The eighth-ranked Colorado State club lacrosse team got nine saves from redshirt freshman Jake Bender and a goal with six seconds left in the second overtime by sophomore A.J. Stewart to cap off an exciting game against No. 22 Michigan State on Saturday night. Neither team led by more than two goals in a thoroughly entertaining battle in front of a boisterous crowd at the Legacy Center in Brighton, Michigan as the Rams took the win 9-8.
CSU led 2-1 after one period and 5-3 at halftime. The Spartans scored four out of the next five goals spanning the third quarter and early portion of the fourth to take a 7-6 lead with 10:44 remaining. Chase Warner answered back for CSU with two goals in just over two minutes to give the Rams the lead again at 8-7. But then Michigan State’s Jack Van Acker scored an acrobatic goal just left of the crease with 4:54 remaining in regulation to send the teams to overtime.
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Both teams had chances in the first but were unable to convert. The defenses stood tall for each squad during the second overtime as well until Stewart took his man behind the goal and beat MSU goalie Matt Allemang on a wrap-around shot to finish the proceedings.
CSU returned to action Sunday afternoon against unranked Davenport, but fell in an 8-7 decision.
Despite a sluggish start to the game by both teams, the Rams led 2-1 after one period of play before hitting a rough patch over the next fifteen minutes as Davenport outscored CSU 3-1 to take a 4-3 lead into the halftime break. Brian Larocque scored his third goal of the game early in the third quarter to give the Panthers a two-goal lead. CSU battled back, but never could tie the game, even after a goal with :16 remaining in the fourth pulled them within one.
Davenport’s defense was outstanding against a CSU offense that had been clicking on all cylinders over the past several weeks. The quick-sliding Panthers forced the Rams into several bad shots and turnovers. CSU’s man-up was a disappointing 0-4 on the afternoon as well, missing several key opportunities to tie the game or take the lead.
Collegian Sports Desk can be reached at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @RMCollegianSpts.
