POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.--Senior
Joe Nutting netted the game winning goal with 2:30 remaining in overtime to lift the Keene State College men's lacrosse team to a 10-9 win over Vassar College at Weinberg Turf Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Records
- Keene State: 2-1
- Vassar: 1-2
How it Happened
Keene State began the game brightly, as
Nathan Sickles and
Andrew Miller opened the scoring with consecutive goals mid-way through the first quarter.  The Brewers rebounded with three straight markers, including James Nicholas' tally with 11 seconds left in the period for a 3-2 lead after the first quarter.
The teams continued to trade goals in the second quarter, as the Owls went up 4-3 on a marker from
Colby Quiet with 8:52 left, only to see Vassar tie it up on a goal from Nicholas. Nutting scored an unassisted tally with 3:55 left for a 5-4 lead at halftime.
Vassar tied it up yet again early in the third quarter, but
Nathan Sickles and
Andrew Miller scored 43 seconds apart to give Keene State a 7-5 lead. The Brewers countered with four consecutive goals, the last coming from the stick of Riley Olds with 10:59 left in the fourth quarter for a 9-7 lead.  The Keene State defense held firm, and Nutting set up
Rex Maccarini and
Cooper Cioffi for quick-fire goals that tied the score yet again and set the stage for Nutting's heroics.
In the extra period, Vassar's Logan Hyde was whistled for a penalty, and Nutting took advantage of the extra-man opportunity, receiving a quick feed from
Andrew Miller and ripping the game winner past Vassar goalie Aidan Gallagher.
Chase Chamberlin, the reigning LEC Goalkeeper of the Week, made six saves to improve to 2-1 in the Owls' net this season.
Inside the Crease
- Keene State had not played a game that went into overtime since the 2015 season, when the Owls defeated RPI 12-11 on Rob Hart's overtime winner.
- Lou Granger's goal in the second quarter was his first career marker.
- As Nutting closes in on 100 career goals, Keene State head coach Mark Theriault is also closing in on a milestone of his own; 250 career wins.  The Owls' long-time bench boss needs four more wins to reach the mark.
Up Next
- After three straight games on the road to open the season, the Owls will make their home debut on their new turf field when they host Rivier University at 1 p.m. on March 5.
- Vassar remains at home, hosting Emerson College on March 5.
