Georgia Tech Fends Off ASU
ATLANTA, Ga. -- In the first ever Top 10 lacrosse matchup on Georgia Tech's campus, the No. 5 Yellow Jackets scored with 20 seconds remaining in the contest to escape with a 7-6 win over No. 8 Arizona State.
The Jackets got the game winner from sophomore attackman Tim Peterson, who also added three assists on the day.
The much-anticipated contest had the feel of a playoff game, with a large and noisy crowd of Yellow Jacket supporters and enthusiastic Sun Devil true believers. Arizona State did not travel 1900 miles to lose a game and the Yellow Jackets planned to defend their turf. The game did not disappoint in intensity.
The game started fast as senior Holland Frost won the opening faceoff and fed the ball to senior Brian Connolly, who attacked the goal and scored just 10 seconds into game. The Sun Devils answered back to tie the game at one goal apiece.
The Jackets regained the lead again a few minutes later on a man-up opportunity when Peterson fed freshman Gabe Banks, who ripped a 12-yard shot past the Sun Devils goaltender. The Jackets extended the lead to two goals when Connolly found Oliver Gregory for a short lived two goal margin.
ASU quickly respond on a busted ride by the Jackets, which led to a transition goal to cut the lead to one goal, giving Georgia Tech a 3-2 edge after one.
The second quarter was all Sun Devils on both ends of the field. The ASU defense held Tech scoreless and were able to score two of their own. Holding on to the 4-3 lead entering the half would be the first time Tech would face a halftime deficit in over two years.
The Jackets quickly regain momentum in the second half as Connolly scored on a fast break feed from Peterson. With the game tied at four, the Jackets earned a man-up opportunity and capitalized when Connolly scored off a Peterson feed to give Tech a one goal advantage.
The defense also stood tall as they shut out the Sun Devlis in the third quarter. Senior goalie Mick Baker (8 saves) led the way in the first start of his career for the Jackets.
Trailing 5-4 at the start of the fourth, the Sun Devils tied the game at five early in the quarter, setting up an exciting ending.
After a Tech timeout, Frost got an unassisted goal to give Tech a one goal lead midway through the final quarter. The Tech defense continued its strong play, limiting the Sun Devils' chances. Arizona State was able to take advantage of a Tech turnover to tie the game at 6-6 with a minute left, however.
Frost won the ensuing faceoff and Peterson dodged from the top of the field and scored the game winner with 20 seconds left on a shot to the low corner.
Arizona State won the ensuring faceoff, but was unable to get a shot on goal. Baker scooped up a loose ball to close out the win for the Jackets as they move to 3-0 on the young season.