Mitchell Nets a Win

The following sports update was provided by Mitchell College Athletics Department:

Junior Adam Grillo (Waterford, Conn./Waterford) scored the game-winning goal just 1:56 into overtime to give the Mitchell College men’s lacrosse team an 8-7 victory over Lyndon State College on Saturday afternoon.

Grillo led the Mariners (3-1 overall) with four goals in the contest, three of which came in the fourth quarter or later. Mitchell trailed 4-2 heading into the final 15 minutes of regulation but scored three goals in the first 32 seconds of the quarter to take its first lead.

Lyndon State (0-3 overall) was the sharper team in the first half. The Hornets netted three goals in the first quarter and led 4-2 at the half. Chris Mansour (Mansfield, Mass.) netted two of his team-high four goals in the opening half.

A scoreless third quarter yielded a bevy of scoring in the fourth. The Mariners erupted for three straight goals, winning face-offs each time and marching in for the score. Freshman Erik Vasquez (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino) got things started and Grillo followed with a pair of scores. Over a 32-second span Mitchell went from trailing by two to leading 5-4.

Mitchell added another goal minutes later on a man-up opportunity when freshman Demetre Lyras (Rocky Point, N.Y./Rocky Point) found the back of the net. The Hornets didn’t go away, however, as Nathan Rivard (Enosburg Falls, Vt.) and Mansour each scored with a man advantage to tie the game at 6-6 with 10 minutes remaining.

Each team scored once more in regulation. Mansour gave the Hornets the lead with his fourth of the game with 7:26 to play, and sophomore Nick Johnson (Mystic, Conn./Fitch) answered for the Mariners with 4:51 to go.

In overtime, Max Ercole (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) won the face-off to give Lyndon State the first possession, but a turnover gave Mitchell the ball and first crack at a goal. Johnson put a shot on net that was saved by goalie Matt Reynolds (New Fairfield, Conn.), and the Hornets moved up the field for another chance.

Mitchell defender Tyler McDonald (Waterford, Conn./Waterford) then forced a turnover and fed the ball to Grillo in the midfield. Grillo sliced down the middle of the scoring area and took a right-handed shot to beat Reynolds for the game-winning goal.

Reynolds finished with 11 saves against 35 shots. Mitchell goalie Peter Eshenfelder (Quaker Hill, Conn./Waterford) posted 16 saves against 40 shots.

Mitchell will next host Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, March 30 at 4 p.m. Lyndon State returns to action at home against Green Mountain College on Saturday, April 2 at 1 p.m.