The Lynchburg Diplomats (1-2) provided the opposition for the Cabrini Cavaliers (2-0) to open the Cavs home portion of their DIII Lacrosse season at Edith Robb Field just outside Philadelphia.
In what can only be described as an epic contest, Lynchburg hung in and got it knotted at 15-15 with just 4:25 to play before the Cavs found another gear to seal the deal.
At 12:29 of the opening stanza, Ty Kostack (4g,2a) recorded his 100th Collegiate goal to put the home team in front.
The Diplomats would get the equalizer when Nate Schafer (4g) converted a Kevin Rogers set up.
Fifty-six seconds later, Rogers (4g,2a) put Lynchburg in the lead.
Cabrini ripped off three tallies in just 3:21 fueled by Kohl Wesner (4g), Kostack setting up Mike Gerzabek (4g,2a) on the man up and finally, Wesner closed the opening stanza with a 4-2 Cabrini advantage.
Kostick converted a Jake Klein pass to push it to 5-2 at the 11:45 mark.
The three-goal cushion was the biggest lead Cabrini could generate and would never trail for the remainder of the tilt.
Rogers at 10:10 and Shafer at the 7:45 mark got Lynchburg within a goal before Matt Loparo (3g,3a) pushed it back to a two-goal Cabrini edge just :15 later.
Goals were coming fast and furious and, on the advantage, Brooks Poll (1g,1a) put it back to a one-goal game.
Wesner and Kostack scored just :18 apart for an 8-5 differential but, Kevin Rogers closed the half at 8-6.
The final three goals of the half came in just 2:29.
it took forty seconds for Shafer to collect another extra-man marker and, the battle was heating up.
1:09 later, Loparo countered but Trammel Robinson (1g 1a) decided to join the party making it 9-8.
Kevin Rogers set up Brooks Rogers (1g,3a) to get Lynchburg tied.
Loparo turned to set up guy and Gerzabek was the recipient.
The man up was lethal for the Diplomats and Colin Dean (2g,2a) notched yet another with just :47 remaining.
The quick-strike was the rule of the day and Gerzabek closed the third quarter with a marker with :16 left to put Cabrini on top, 11-10.
You had to know the Diplomats were not going away quietly and a counter-punching session took center stage with a “you score, I score” drama erupting.
Dean at 14:10, Jake Huey (1a) winning the face-off clean, hit Jake Klein (1g,1a) just five seconds later.
Owen Thoreck (1g) answered but Kostack hit Gerzabek with a pretty man advantage pass.
1:33 later, Lynchburg tallied another, you guessed it, man up goal supplied by Shafer.
It then turned into “you get two, we get two” with Loparo and Kevin Leyden (1g,1a) boosting Cabrini to a 15-13 edge.
Kevin Rogers answered with a pair and the combatants had 4:25 to decide a winner.
At 2:58, Wesner made it 16-15 before Kostack ended the day with :55 remaining.
Dis and Dat: Cabrini had the edge on faceoffs, 21 of 34. Shots favored the Cavs 49-37 as well as loose balls, 45-35.
The man advantage revealed 2 of 5 for the Cavs while the Diplomats were breathtaking, 4 of 5.
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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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