Men's Lacrosse Falls in OT to Colorado College, 9-8

SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Freshman attacker Brendan Conway scored the game-tying goal with three minutes to play in regulation but the Swarthmore men's lacrosse team (0-4) fell in overtime 9-8 after a quick goal by Colorado College on Sunday afternoon.

Down three goals with less than five minutes to play in regulation, Swarthmore was all but counted out before freshman Jonathan Molloy split to Colorado defense and netted the goal that would spark a Garnet comeback. 

Less than a minute later sophomore Wes Marcik caused a Tiger turnover and picked up the groundball setting up a shot and goal for freshman attacker Daniel Kowalyshyn, narrowing the Colorado lead to one.

Only 38 seconds later a Colorado penalty helped set Swarthmore up for Conway's goal, tying up the game at 8-8. Junior John Bukawyn had the assist on the goal.

The final three minutes counted down and the game went into overtime.  Unfortunately, Colorado College sealed its victory only 45 seconds into the overtime when Steve Rijo line-drive shot snuck past Swarthmore's keeper, junior Michael Brockway.

Brockway had a great game in net, saving 18 of the 27 shots he faced.

Junior Max Hubbard put Swarthmore on the board to start the game and give the Garnet an early lead but it was quickly erased by two Colorado goals.  Hubbard finished with two goals in the game.

Marcik netted his first of two goals at the start of the second period to knot up the score at two apiece but once again the Tigers answered, this time with a string of four straight goals over the remainder of the second period and first half of the third period. 

After going down four goals the Garnet offense needed a kickstart.  Hubbard and Marcik answered with back-to-back goals at the end of the third period, bringing Swat within two again at 6-4.

A Swarthmore penalty late in the third period gave the Tigers a chance for a man-up goal early in the fourth period that they took advantage of to extend its lead back to three goals.

Kowalyshyn answered with a goal a few minutes later to give the Garnet its fifth goal of the game.  Colorado added its eighth only four minutes later before Swat would go on its three goal comeback run. 

Hubbard, Marcik and Kowalyshyn each finished with two goals apiece in the game.  Marcik also had three groundballs in the game.

Swarthmore senior Mark Czernyk led the team with eight groundballs.

Penalties hindered the Garnet throughout the game as Colorado College would net two man-up goals during two of Swarthmore's nine penalties.

Swarthmore returns to action on Clothier Field on Wednesday March 16 when it hosts Wooster.  Play is set to begin at 4:00 PM.