HENNIKER, N.H. – New England College junior attacker
Henri Pfeifle (Darien, Conn.) scored the game winner with 51 seconds left in double-overtime as the NEC men's lacrosse team won 12-11 over visiting Plattsburgh State in non-conference action on Wednesday evening at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: Plattsburgh State 11, New England College 12 (OT)
Records: Pilgrims 2-5 | Cardinals 4-5
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Pilgrims scored early and often in the first half, as NEC senior midfielder Joey Olsen (Mansfield, Mass.) got the scoring started just 1:23 into the game for his fifth goal of the season, assisted by sophomore midfielder Nathan Hawkins (Salisbury, N.H.). Less than three minutes later, NEC senior midfielder Thomas Doe (Windham, N.H.) scored his ninth goal of the season to make it 2-0 for the home team.
- Later tied at 2-2 with 6:53 left in the first quarter, NEC junior attacker Thomas Norton (Mansfield, Mass.) would take advantage of a man-up opportunity to give the lead back to the 'Grims with his seventh goal of the season, assisted by senior attacker Matt Daley (Plymouth, Mass.). Less than two minutes later, Norton would find Daley for the put-away for his tenth goal of the season as the Pilgrims went up by two as the first quarter came to an end.
- The teams traded goals in the second quarter, as Daley and Pfeifle – the 'Grims leading scorer entering the day – both added to their season totals while the Cardinals countered with goals from senior attacker John Eiseman (Farmingville, N.Y.) and sophomore midfielder Tim Keenan (Poughquag, N.Y.) in the closing minutes of the stanza. The teams went into halftime with NEC leading 6-4.
- The 'Grims once again came out firing in the third quarter, as Daley completed his hat trick with his third goal just 1:12 into the half. With 11:19 remaining in the game, Pfeifle took it in himself with his second goal of the game and 20th of the season, putting NEC up 8-4. As they had for much of the game, the Cardinals turned to Eiseman to get them back into the game, and the senior scored his third and fourth goals of the game along with a goal from junior attacker Donald Woods (Rocky Point, N.Y.), pulling the visitors to within one. Another goal by Olsen gave NEC some much-needed breathing room 7:12 left in the third to go up 9-7, and they would need it as Eiseman continued his rampage with his fifth goal of the night. Turning once again to their own leading scorer, the Pilgrims went up 10-8 on an unassisted shot by Pfeifle for his third goal of the game.
- With 4:09 remaining, Plattsburgh pulled to within one once again as Eiseman found first year midfielder Jamie Gipe (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) for his first goal of the game. Finally, with just 1:47 to go in the third, Norton to a pass from Daley and finished, leaving the 'Grims back where they started with a two-goal lead at the end of the quarter, 11-9.
- The fourth quarter continued to see the teams battle. The Pilgrims took advantage of a Cardinals turnover and a penalty to maintain a nearly-unbroken possession for almost three minutes to open the fourth, only to ultimately be turned away after a shot clock violation. Plattsburgh once again closed the gap to one when junior midfielder Ely Bruhns (Clifton Park, N.Y.) cracked the scoring column with 11:23 left in the game.
- A critical penalty with 6:20 remaining went against NEC, giving Plattsburgh a man-up advantage, and a failed clear setup a golden opportunity for the Cardinals. They finally found the equalizer when Keenan took a pass from Woods and finished for his second goal of the game, tying it up at 11-11 with 4:45 to go. Plattsburgh had a chance to take their first lead of the game with 2:06 remaining, but NEC freshman goalkeeper Nate Finn (Norwood, Mass.) was up to the challenge this time, making the save. A crucial failed clear with 1:17 left gave the Cardinals yet another chance with a fresh shot clock, but Finn stopped Eiseman and NEC cleared it, as head coach Jedd Brown called timeout with 15.5 seconds to go to setup his players.
- With one last chance to win it in regulation, an errant pass from Norton turned the ball over and the game headed into overtime, with the next goal representing the game-winner.
- After NEC senior face-off specialist Evan Zonderman (Dracut, Mass.) won the ball at the start, a shot by Pfeifle glanced just off the post. A pair of shots by Olsen went wide and Plattsburgh took possession with 2:30 left. Finn once again made the stops when the bell rang, and the Cardinals couldn't find the golden goal. Pfeifle had the ball behind the Plattsburgh net with six seconds left, but he couldn't find the back of the net through a scrum in front of the net. The game went into the second overtime.
- With 2:23 remaining in the second overtime, the Cardinals had possession with another chance to win it. But a missed shot and a turnover by Keenan gave it back to the 'Grims with time winding down. Possession went from Norton to Doe to Olson before the offense reset, with Pfeifle taking possession. Taking it in himself, he cut towards the cut and bounced a shot past the keeper, finally winning it for NEC with his fourth goal of the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Finn tallied a career-high 17 saves on the evening for the Pilgrims, as the rookie continues to show improvement almost every game this season.
- Plattsburgh senior goalkeeper Dan Clements (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) finished with ten stops for the Cardinals.
- NEC sophomore long-stick midfielder Jackson Kain (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) was all over the field for the 'Grims, tallying a game-high eight ground balls with three caused turnovers.
- Plattsburgh first-year defenseman Fynn Whitlock (Middlebury, Vt.) posted a team-high four ground balls for the Cardinals.
- Zonderman went 10-of-16 on faceoffs for NEC, coming out ahead for the third straight game.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Saturday when they play host to Lasell University in a 1:00 p.m. conference matchup.
- Plattsburgh plays their next game at SUNY Cortland, also on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
