BALTIMORE, Md. - - A fourth quarter comeback falls just short as nationally ranked No. Frostburg State hung on for a 13-12 victory over the Wilmington University men's lacrosse team on Wednesday night, played on the campus of Johns Hopkins University at Homewood Field.
Frostburg State (5-2) scored four straight to end the third quarter and the first goal of the fourth quarter to take a 13-7 lead before the Wildcats (2-3) attempted to come back, but ran out of steam at the end.
The Bobcats started out fast, scoring the first four goals of the game and leading 4-0 with 7:00 minutes left in the quarter. Layton Avant pout the Wildcats on the board with 5:12 to play in the first and then Josh Weston Scored back-to-back goals to bring the Wildcats to within 4-3 after the first quarter.
The teams traded the first four goals of the second quarter, with Logan Stinson tying the game, 5-5 with 8:14 to play before the half. Frostburg State took the lead with 5:07 to play and then made it back-to-back goals with 4:07 to play, taking a 7-5 lead. Carter Earl brought the Wildcats back to within a goal but the Bobcats scored the final goal of the half, giving Frostburg State an 8-6 lead at the break.
Jimmy Cava scored the first goal of the second half, but then Frostburg State scored the final four goals of the third. The Wildcats had their chances in the third with seven shots, but Frostburg goalkeeper Nate Jones came up with five saves in the frame, by far the most for any quarter for the goalie. The Bobcats final goal of the third came with two second left, taking a 12-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
Frostburg State scored 2:55 into the third quarter to take a 13-7 lead, but that's when the Wildcats went to work. Miles Crouse scored with 11:53 to play and then Carnell Lofton Jr. won the ensuing face-off and after a penalty, Logan Stinson scored just 30 seconds later to get to within 13-9.
After a Bobcat turnover, the Wildcats went on the attack. After three shots, the Wildcats scored on the fourth attempt, getting a goal from Jimmy Cava with 7:28 to play. Lofton Jr won the ensuing face-off and after two more shots, TJ Caton charged at the net and fired a shot past Jones for another WilmU goal, making it 13-11 with 6:14 to play.
Daniel Flynn came up with a save to get the ball back to the Wildcats, but Josh Weston and Jimmy Cava hit the post with back-to-back shots with 3:05 to play. The Wildcats didn't get the ball back until into the offensive zone until 1:08 to play and TJ Caton scored again to bring the Wildcats all the way back to within a goal, 13-12, with 1:07 to play.
A face-off violation gave the ball to Frostburg State and the Bobcats were able to run out the remainder of the 1:00 minute left on the clock for the win.
Jimmy Cava and TJ Caton led the team with three points, each scoring two goals and adding an assist. Josh Weston and Logan Stinson each scored two goals while Miles Crouse and Layton Avant added a goal and an assist each. Wilmington outshot the Bobcats, 40-37, each with 20 shots on goal.
The Wildcats have a quick turnaround as they get back into Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play this weekend. They travel to Orangeburg, New York to take on Dominican on Saturday at O'Brien Field. The opening face-off is set for 3:00 p.m.