LEXINGTON, Va. ? Despite a late VMI rally, the Providence College Friars held on for a 7-6 win in MAAC men's lacrosse action Saturday at Foster Stadium in a contest that was the MAAC opener for both schools.
Leading 5-4 after three quarters, the Friars scored with 9:37 remaining to take a 6-4 edge. VMI's Brett Leonard answered several minutes later, cutting the deficit to one, but Providence scored the eventual game winner with 46 seconds left on the clock. Colin Tigh, who had four goals on the day, fought through a double team and found the back of the net, giving the visitors a 7-5 lead.
VMI's Jacob Weimer scored with six seconds left on a turnover in front of the goal, and the Keydets claimed the ensuing faceoff. However, VMI could not get off a final shot, and Providence held on for the thrilling 7-6 victory.
With the win, the Friars move to 1-4 and 1-0 in MAAC play, while VMI drops to 1-6 and 0-1 in conference action. Tigh got Providence on the board early, scoring in the third minute of action off an assist from Bobby Labadini to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. However, VMI responded by controlling the majority of the first quarter, notching goals from Weimer, Matt Piazza and Colin Bosse to take a 3-1 lead after one quarter. The Keydets' Chris Rossie won 4-of-5 faceoffs in the opening period to help his team control the tempo.
The second quarter was played at a slow pace, as the two teams combined for just seven total shots. Labadini scored for Providence with under a minute left to account for the halftime score, 3-2 VMI. All told, the Keydets had dominated the faceoff X during the opening 30 minutes, winning six of seven contested.
The Friars struck early in the second half, as Tigh claimed the opening faceoff and took the ensuing groundball. He then quickly fired a shot past Keydet keeper Alex Benedick to tie the game, 3-3. VMI responded at the 7:07 mark, when Tim Moran scored off a dish from Leonard, putting the home team back in front, 4-3.
The Friars then scored the game's next three goals in the decisive run of the afternoon. Jackson Fallon struck just 40 seconds after Moran's goal, tying the game at 4, and Labadini added his second goal of the day at the four-minute mark, giving Providence its first lead since the opening quarter. The visiting squad held a 5-4 cushion after three periods, and Tigh scored with 9:37 to play to push the margin to 6-4, setting the stage for the closing moments.
The Keydets were led by Weimer, who had two goals on the day, as well as Leonard and Moran, who each had a goal and assist. VMI keeper Benedick had four saves in his first collegiate start, while Friars' keeper Robert Bryan had eight stops. Providence was led by Tigh's four goals, while Labadini chipped in with two scores and a trio of assists.
VMI lacrosse will return to action next Saturday, as the Keydets host the Manhattan Jaspers in MAAC action at Foster Stadium. Game time is currently scheduled for 1 p.m.
