Box Score | Game Highlights | Post-Game Interviews | Photo Gallery
The Colorado Mesa University Men's lacrosse team took on the Dominican University Penguins on Saturday as the Mavericks continue their second season in D-II lacrosse. It was a good day for the Mavs as they avenged their only conference loss so far after beating the Penguins 5-4 to go up 7-3 (5-1 WILA) on the season and to solidify their spot atop the Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.
The game got off to a slow start as both teams struggled to find the net through most of the first quarter, but Trace Wollner would finally break the drought as he notched the first goal of the game for the Mavs at 6:01 in the first. The Penguins would respond, however, with a goal of their own coming with 21 second left in the quarter which tied the game at 1-1. The second quarter was all about the Mavs as Austin Pridham added another goal to the Mavs' total at 8:21 left in the half; James Sharp would also contribute after his shot found the back of the net with 4:57 left in the half which put the Mavs up 3-1 at the break. There was a brief scare for the Mavs with 3:46 remaining as Brad Brandenburg saved a shot that deflected off his lower abdomen which forced him to go out of the game for the rest of the half; Zach Weaver would replace him.
Brandenburg would return, though, as he started the third quarter in the Mavs' goal, but it was tough for him as the Penguins could sense his injury and were able to get two shots by him, one at 13:14 and another at 6:30 remaining, to tie the score up at 3-3 heading into the final quarter. The Mavs broke the tie after a goal from Kade Robinson at 14:12 put the Mavs back on top, but the Penguins would not go away quietly as they, again, tied the score at 4-4 with another goal with 8:35 remaining in the game. Both teams would again trade shots back and forth as Josh Russell would finally break the tie with 5:52 remaining when his shot found the back of the net for the Mavs, making the score 5-4. The Penguins would keep the pressure on through the rest of the quarter looking to tie, but their last best chance to even the score came with 27 seconds remaining with a shot on the goal that was stopped by Brandenburg, preserving the lead for the Mavs and making the score 5-4 final.
The performance by the Mavs today was reminiscent of their victory over the Argonauts at home with 11 goals scored by 10 different players and today was no different. 5 Mavericks had shots that found the net led by Robinson who also added 4 groundballs. Daniel Caddoo, Griffin Perkiel, and Aaron Eggiman also contributed as each had 1 assist with Caddoo also adding 5 groundballs to his total.
Brandenburg spent a total of 56:14 in the net as he racked up 7 saves and ended on the positive side of the decision for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks continue their season on Thursday when they travel to St. Charles, Missouri, as they look to sweep the season from the Lindenwood Lions.
