ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – In an intense showdown that extended into overtime on Saturday afternoon, the St. Mary's College of Maryland men's lacrosse team snatched a thrilling 10-9 victory against Hampden-Sydney College. This victory at their home ground marked a significant milestone for the Seahawks, as it was their first-ever win against Hampden-Sydney in eight encounters. The game-winning moment came with just 49 seconds left in the overtime period, courtesy of first-year Declan Horton, who managed to find the back of the net, sealing the win for St. Mary's College, which now improves to a 3-1 season record.
The climactic end to the match was set up by a one-minute extra-man opportunity (EMO) for St. Mary's, during which senior captain Johnny McGrain expertly passed the ball to Horton. Horton did not disappoint, firing a top-shelf goal 11 seconds into the EMO, showcasing the high-pressure capabilities of the Seahawks' offensive unit.
The match had a dramatic narrative, beginning with Hampden-Sydney taking an early 2-0 lead. However, St. Mary's quickly shifted the momentum in their favor, scoring six unanswered goals for a commanding 6-2 lead early in the second quarter. Horton, contributing significantly with three assists during this surge, played a pivotal role throughout the game.
Not going down without a fight, Hampden-Sydney managed to close the gap to 7-4 by halftime and continued their pursuit into the third quarter, narrowing the Seahawks' lead to a single goal. The fourth quarter saw both teams exchanging goals, with Hampden-Sydney managing to tie the game at 9-9 in the final moments, setting the stage for Horton's overtime heroics.
The game's statistics reflect a closely contested match, with Hampden-Sydney slightly edging out St. Mary's in ground balls (33-30) and face-offs won (13 of 22). Nevertheless, St. Mary's demonstrated a strong defensive performance, particularly in man-down situations, successfully neutralizing four of Hampden-Sydney's five extra-man opportunities.
For St. Mary's, Joshua Martel emerged as the leading scorer, netting four goals, while Horton had a standout performance with a career-high four points (one goal and three assists). Senior defenseman Ethan Little and fifth-year Ben Robertson also made crucial contributions, with Little leading in ground balls and Robertson making key saves as the goalie.
On the opposing side, Hampden-Sydney's Patrick Hanes led the scoring for the Tigers, with Peter Smith making 15 saves despite the loss, which ended their four-game winning streak.
St. Mary's College aims to build on this significant victory as they prepare for their next challenge against Elizabethtown on March 9, hoping to continue their winning momentum.
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