Box Score TROY, N.Y. - Sophomore Robert Hart scored 2:02 into overtime to lift the Keene State College men's lacrosse team to a 12-11 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), this afternoon at East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Owls improve to 1-1 overall, while the Engineers drop to 1-2.
Hart had three goals on the day, including the game-winner. RPI won the OT-opening face-off, but were unable to get a shot off, turning the ball over near the Keene State cage. The Owls moved quickly up field, before Hart was able to dodge his way to the front of the net and bury his sixth goal of the season.
In a game that saw nine ties and five lead changes, it was the Engineers who held the only multi-goal advantage on the day - 5-3 with 9:15 to play in the second quarter. Following that tally by Ben Piersiak, the Owls scored two goals, just 15 seconds apart, to knot the game at 5-5.
RPI sophomore Breanainn McNeally gave the hosts back the lead (6-5) with 2:55 remaining in the first half, but Keene State senior Ryan Hart found an equalizer with eight second on the clock, bringing the game back to a 6-6 deadlock at the half.
Both teams netted goals in the first five minutes of the third quarter, as Owls sophomore Bryan Rotatori answered a tally by RPI sophomore Jake Weidner. The game then remained level at 7-7 until the 4:17 of the fourth, when Keene State junior Tyler McKelvie gave the visitors a one goal edge (8-7).
The Engineers struck back in quick succession, as McNeally and freshman Matthew Gilman tallied just 22 seconds apart to make it 9-8, with 8:13 to play in the fourth.
Once again Keen State answered, when sophomore Tyler Reilly bagged his second of the season to tie the game at 9-9.
Rensselaer junior Patrick Finn then netted two goal-ahead goals in the final 5:34, but both were answered by the visitors, including one by Reilly - his third of the young season - with 51 seconds left in regulation.
Both goaltenders had big days between the pipes, including Keene State junior Dylan Florian, who made 18 saves. RPI sophomore David Gibbs notched nine saves, including four in the fourth quarter. The Engineers were just 1 for 8 on man-up opportunities, while the Owls did not see a man-up chance.
The Owls visit defending national champion Tufts University on Tuesday (3:30pm).
(Recap courtesy of RPI Sports Information)
