Phil Walker worked his way around the cage and deposited an overtime game-winning goal into the lower-right corner of the net just 50 seconds into the extra session Sunday afternoon against Goucher. The marker gave the USMMA men’s lacrosse team an 8-7 victory over the Gophers in the Landmark Conference opener for both teams.
Alex Peyreigne had a stellar afternoon between the pipes, recording 16 saves and held the visitors without a goal during a span of 36:47.
Goucher (2-5, 0-1 Landmark) notched the first tally of the game on a Dylan Zook goal at the 13:06 mark of the first quarter with an assist from Pierce Ingram. USMMA would account for the next two goals as Geoff Harty and Kyle Sammis found the back of the net within eight seconds of each other.
However, the Gophers would net three straight goals, including one as time expired, to finish the first quarter with a 4-2 advantage.
Merchant Marine (2-2, 1-0 Landmark) would hold the visitors without a goal in the second quarter. The Mariners beat the Goucher net minder three times in the period on unassisted shots. Troy Smith struck twice while Harty posted the final tally to send USMMA into halftime with a 5-4 edge.
The only goal of the third quarter came with 1:51 to play as Chris Whitenack secured a man-up marker with an assist from Brett Crawford. Whitenack also had an outstanding day on the face-off “X”, winning 8-of-10 draws and totaling six ground balls. Goucher trimmed the USMMA advantage to 7-6 with 9:03 remaining in regulation, but found themselves down by the same score with 1:00 to play following a timeout.
Peyreigne made two saves in the final minute, but a turnover and quick rush up the field from the Gophers resulted in the game-tying goal with 1.0 seconds on the clock. Zook earned credit for the fast break goal with Sam Morgan getting the assist that sent the contest into overtime.
Goucher won the opening draw in the extra session, but Robert Tirrito forced a turnover and scooped the ground ball to get possession for USMMA. Walker circled behind the cage and found just enough space to fire a low shot to the right of the goalie. The Mariners’ senior hit the net and started the celebration with the walk-off winner as Merchant Marine picked up the 8-7 victory.
Baseball
The Merchant Marine baseball team racked up a pair of come from behind wins Saturday afternoon to sweep a double header at Purchase State. The Mariners got strong performances on the mound from Timothy Arner, Patrick Morgan and Cameron Stadele. Arner and Morgan both went at least five innings to start the game, while Stadele earned a pair of saves on the afternoon.
Warren Hartmann had a pair of doubles in the opener and a home run in the nightcap and went on to be tabbed the Landmark Conference Player of the Week after exploding at the plate during the Mariners’ perfect 4-0 week.
The senior went 10-for-13 (.769) at the dish, totaled 10 RBI over the four-game stretch and recorded seven extra base hits, including two triples and two home runs.
He scored nine runs and stole four bases to go along with a .765 on-base percentage.
