FREDERICK, Md. – With the Hood College men's lacrosse team tied with Albright with less than 30 seconds to play,
Robbie Wiley (York, Pa./Central York) came in clutch to get the game-winner with 26 seconds left, securing the team's first Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth victory in a 10-9 barn-burner.
Inside the Box Score
Rio Muldoon (Prince Frederick, Md./DeMatha Catholic) led the Blazers with two goals and two assists, adding two ground balls as well.
Owen McDermott (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) scored twice and helped on a goal; picking up a ground ball.
Garrett Hitchens (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) scooped up five ground balls and went 14-21 in the faceoff circle.
Nino Rizzolino (Easton, Pa./Easton Area) and
Brendan Smith (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown Area Senior High School) both caused two turnovers.
Alex Dudziak (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) made 13 saves on the evening.
How it Happened
Hood looked like they were going to run away with the game at the start, scoring twice in the first 47 seconds thanks to quick scoring from McDemott and
Connor Flok (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus), but Albright regained its composure and suddenly put up three goals in 1:15 to
suddenly take a 3-2 lead. Despite the initial outburst, neither team could find the back of the net for rest of the quarter as the Blazers finished the first 15 minutes down by one.
The Lions doubled their lead just 39 seconds into the second quarter, but this time it was Hood's turn to come racing back, potting a trio of goals in 1:37 to steal a 5-4 lead. While neither team could score for most of the rest of the period, Albright got one past Dudziak with just 13 seconds on the clock to tie things up heading into halftime.
Jay Lanigan (Merrimack, N.H./Merrimack) broke the tie 1:12 into the third quarter, and was so annoyed the Lions tied the game again late in the quarter he made sure to score another one less than a minute later to give the Blazers a small 7-6 lead with just 15 minutes left to play.
Albright tied things up once more early in the fourth, but two quick goals from Hood restored their earlier-two goal lead. Unfortunately for the Blazers, the Lions recalled their earlier play as well with two more goals to put the scoreboard at 9-9 with just over six minutes left to play.
With momentum on Albright's side, Dudziak came up huge with back-to-back saves to allow Hood their likely final attempt to score before needing overtime. With one more possession, Wiley took the ball from behind the net, swam past his defender for a one-on-one with the goalie and converted while falling back to put the Blazers ahead 10-9 with just 26 seconds left. That would end up being the game-winner, as the Lions' final possession amounted to nothing, giving Hood their first conference win.
For the Opponent
James Elko totaled two goals, an assist, and a ground ball for Albright.
Jack Burke ended the night with a goal and four ground balls.
Analysis
Both teams had 42 shots in the game.
Albright had 14 turnovers, compared to just 10 for Hood.
The Blazers had a 25-21 edge in ground balls.
Notes
Hood improves to 7-7 (1-3), while Albright falls to 5-9 (0-4).
Up Next
The Blazers head to Reading, Pennsylvania for a MAC Commonwealth matchup against Alvernia Saturday, April 20 at 12 p.m.
