Men's Lax Takes Swarthmore to OT
The Muhlenberg men's lacrosse team staged an incredible comeback to force overtime before falling to No. 15 Swarthmore, 13-12.
The Mules (3-7, 0-2), playing their sixth consecutive game against a team receiving votes in the USILA Division III poll, trailed 7-2 midway through the second quarter but gradually chipped away.
While the defense was holding the Garnet (7-1, 1-0) scoreless for a stretch of more than 18 minutes, a goal by junior Tyler Kitchen, one by freshman Daniel Friedel and a pair by freshman Chase Kusko about three minutes apart early in the third quarter brought Muhlenberg to within one at 7-6.
Swarthmore scored the next two goals and took a 10-8 lead into the final period. It was 11-9 with just a little more than five minutes remaining before senior Wyatt Malia, held scoreless to that point, assisted on a goal by Friedel and scored two himself, 1:36 apart, to put the Mules in the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter.
The Garnet tied the game at 12-all with 1:13 left in regulation, and Muhlenberg went to overtime for the second time this season.
The Mules won the opening faceoff, with sophomore Luke Schwartzberg picking up the ground ball, and took three shots but could not score. Swarthmore ended the game on its first overtime possession when a pass bounced to an open player right in front of the net.
Senior Stephen Krug had a big game in goal, making a career-high 15 saves, including 10 in the first half when the Garnet had a huge advantage in shots.
Of Muhlenberg's 12 goals, eight were scored by freshmen, with Friedel and Jack Bill netting three apiece and Kusko (pictured above) two.
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