Yet another thriller from the Penn State Nittany Lions (#2, 4-2) as they waged an epic battle with Cornell (#7, 5-0). Lacrosse is a game of runs as this one was taking it to the extreme. When you think of “a run” it’s normally three, four maybe five goals. Not this time.
The Lions started with a mini uprising with a man advantage marker from Kevin Hill (3g) and an even-strength score from Jack Kelly (3g,1a) and at 5:00 played, it was quickly 2-0. Cornell flexed their muscles and went on a 10 goal, yes, 10 goals run with the first 8 being in the first quarter.
Jonathan Donville (2g), Matt Licciardi (1g,1a), Connor Fletcher (1g,1a), Cooper Telesco (1g,1a.), John Piatelli (2g), Billy Coyle (3g), Brandon Salvatore (1g) and a second from Piatelli closed the quarter with Cornell boasting an 8-2. Seven different players hit rope but, conspicuous by his absence, Jeff Teat was not one of them. Teat did account for two assists in the uprising, however.
The run went to ten with Michael Long (1g,4a) and JJ Lombardi (1g) doing the honors. Finally, after nearly fifteen minutes of being blanked, the Lions woke up from their slumber with TJ Malone (4g,1a) closing the flood gates and Penn State had a major uphill battle, trailing 10-3. Teat (3g,3a) finally got on the goal sheet with a pair that put it back to a nine-goal advantage, 12-3. Malone and Hill countered to close the half, 12-5.
Donville added his second but, it was now Penn State that would make a statement with an eight-goal tear that got it to 13-12. Kelly at 12:03, Hill a half-minute later, Mac O’Keefe (3g,1a), a pair from Malone, and, at 2:08, Cole Willard (1g) joined the goal parade to end the third stanza. Forty-nine seconds in, Dylan Foulds (2g) finally got The Lions evened up, 13-13.
Coyle nailed a pair less than two minutes apart to put Cornell back in front, 15-13. Thirty-five seconds later, it was Foulds again. With 7:10 to play, Angelo Petrakis (2g) got it back to the two-goal edge. Kelly and long pole, TJ Connellan (1g) got it, stop me if you heard this, knotted up. If you are a fan of Drama… you will love how this story ends!!!
Grant Ament (5a) sent a sweet pass that O’Keefe buried while on the advantage to give Penn State it’s first lead since they went up, 2-0. The goal came with 3:46 to play so plenty of time remained for Teat and Company to counter. Penn State’s defense tightened down and limited any looks that Cornell was able to get.
A dynamic player like Teat is impossible to stop and he scored an absolutely beautiful power rush goal with 00:18 showing on the clock. The most critical face-off of the game was won by Cornell and Petrakis sprinted thirty yards to bury the game-winner with just :08 remaining.
Dis and Dat
- The five helpers give Ament 29 in 6 games.
- Hill had a career-high with three goals. As did Malone with his four.
- Jake Glatz replaced a surprisingly ineffective Gerald Arceri on the face off duty and was an impressive 17 of 29 with a game-high, 12 loose balls.
- Shot favored Cornell, 41-33, while Penn State nabbed more loose balls, 44-40.
- The Lions won 20 of 39 from the “x”.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
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