Duke moves on with hair raising overtime 10-9. victory. The #12 Loyola Greyhounds (10-6) came into their Quarterfinal match-up with the #2 Duke Blue Devils (14-2). Loyola came in as one of the hottest teams in the Nation and Netminder, Sam Shafer has been a big reason. In the Greyhounds last four games, against, Georgetown, Navy, Army West Point. and Denver. Shafer turned away 50 shots and would need to be on his game against the high-powered Blue Devils.
To The Action
Duke features two highly touted transfer players in Michael Sowers (Princeton) and goalkeeper, Mike Adler (St. Joseph’s). This game was absolutely a game for the ages. Most games start off slow as the offenses try to figure out the opposing defense. The opening quarter was tight with only five goals and a foreshadowing of how this one would play out.
The star of the day, Joe Robertson started things off with a pretty pass that Aidan Daneza (1g) potted for a 1-0 Duke lead. It took just :42 for Evan James (4g,1a) to counter with Seth Higgins (1g 1a) adding his sixth :56 later to give the Greyhounds a short-lived 2-1 edge. Brennan O’Neill (4g,1a) put it back to a tie game with 2.28 to play.
Loyola took the hit and had an answer with an Aidan Poitras (1) goal that ended the 3-2 quarter. Duke would own the second quarter and notched all three goals starting with the 42nd of the year O’Neill and just 4 minutes later Michael Sowers set up O’Neill on the advantage before Robertson (3g,1a) closed the first half scoring just :31 later with Duke Bedeviling Loyola, 5-3.
Another low-scoring stanza awaited with Loyola getting even when Aidan Olmstead (3a) set up James for his 30th and Kevin Lindsey (2g) with Sowers (1g,3a) getting it back to a 6-5 Duke advantage. Let the drama begin! It took a minute and forty-one seconds for Robertson to push it to 7-5 Duke. Neither squad would hit net for over five minutes until James hit for his 31st and 32nd and we had heya another knotted up affair, at 7-7.
The Finale
Ryan Smyth (1g) got it to an 8-7 Duke lead, But, you know what’s coming..Dan Wigley (1g) replied in kind to get us to the Fifth tie of the day, 8-8. The trend would continue with James setting up Lindsey on his 42nd. All Loyola had to do was run out the clock. But, fate took over when Cam Wyers was called for unnecessary roughness with just 1:38 remaining.
The Greyhounds would be a man down for 1:00 and with the Duke offense, Loyola fans had a sense of impending doom. With just 1:09 to go, Sowers fed a pass that Brennan O’Neill deposited behind Shafer to send it to the 7th tie of the day and overtime. Joe Robertson scored one of the most electrifying goals you will ever see. Robertson worked from behind the net, made an explosive first step and the defense converged. Robertson was knocked down but, while lying prone on his stomach, somehow got off a shot that was stopped but found its way into the net to set off a wild celebration. Duke moves on to take on Maryland in the Semi-Finals.
By the Numbers
Mike Adler stopped 9 Loyola shots with Shafer stopping 17 to bring his five-game total 67 saves. How nip and tuck was this one? Shots leaned the Duke way, 39-39 with shots being 27-17 also for Duke. Loyola was very good on clears with 20 of 21 with the Blue Devils clearing 20 of 23. Turnovers revealed 14 for Loyola and 13 for the victors. Duke easily won the ground ball battle,35-23
The Greyhounds couldn’t hit net on the advantage going, 0 for 3 with Duke having a perfect 2 of 2.! Duke moves on.
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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