Lawrence Tech Falls Short vs. Dayton
BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. – The Lawrence Tech men's lacrosse team nearly pulled the early upset of No. 1-ranked Dayton, but a goal by the Flyers in the second overtime gave the Dayton an 11-10 win at Detroit Country Day School.
Lawrence Tech (0-1, 0-1 CCLA) took an early 1-0 lead following the first of four Tim Popp (JR/Plymouth, MI) goals. Dayton responded in the first period with two goals of its own to take a 2-1 lead heading into the second. The Flyers expanded the lead to 3-1, but Tristan Burkhard (SO/Tecumseh, MI) cut it back to 3-2 with 6:20 left in the half. Dayton notched another goal with three minutes to take a 4-2 lead into the locker room.
In the third period, the Blue Devils exploded for seven goals to take a 9-6 lead. Popp opened up the scoring to cut the lead to 4-3. Gabe O'Neil (JR/Madison Heights, MI) and Frank Badalamenti (SO/Shelby Twp, MI) gave LTU a 5-4 lead following a pair of goals three minutes apart. Popp added his third and fourth goals of the game while Alex Gruber (JR/Fraser, MI) and Burkhard each added a goal to give LTU the 9-6 lead.
Dayton once again responded with two quick goals in the fourth to cut the lead to 9-8, but Brendan Oles (FR/Warren, Mich.) notched his first of the season to make it 10-8 with 4:55 left in the game. The Flyers cut it 10-9 23 seconds later and tied the game at 10-10 with 35 second left on the clock.
LTU had its chances in the overtime periods, but Dayton was able to get the opening faceoff of the second overtime, make a pass and score to take the game 11-10.
Lawrence Tech was outshot on the day 52-37 and held a 36-22 advantage in ground balls. Adam Gohl (SR/Clarkston, MI) made 17 saves on 28 shots while allowing 11 goals.
The Blue Devils are back on the field Saturday, February 20 at Ultimate Soccer in Pontiac, Mich. when they host Washington (Mo.) University – St. Louis. Faceoff is set for 2 p.m.