SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Skidmore College men's lacrosse team couldn't overcome a late game go-ahead score from Trinity (CT) to lose 8-7 in a low-scoring home opener on Tuesday evening.
The Thoroughbreds (2-1) had a stellar team performance by completing all 19 clears, winning the faceoffs battle at 10-of-18 and outshooting the Bantoms (1-1) by a 40-27 margin, but a superb 18-save game from the visiting goalie and an inability to convert on all four man-up opportunities on offense ultimately proved to be the difference maker in the closely contested defeat.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Thoroughbreds jumped out to a fast start by quickly going up 3-0 at the 5:36 mark of the first period off an initial score from junior Marty McFadden that was followed by a pair from sophomore Jon Byrne in just a one-minute span.
- Trinity finally broke through the Skidmore defense and got on the board at the 4:16 mark of the first to cut the Thoroughbreds lead down to 3-1. In the second quarter, the Bantoms tied things up after a pair of goals at the 6:19 and 5:00 mark.
- Senior Brian Gonsalves put the home team back up 90 seconds later on a solo score to give Skidmore a narrow 4-3 lead entering halftime.
- Coming out of halftime, the Bantoms quickly tied things up in the opening minutes before retaking a 5-4 lead at the 4:41 mark.
- Gonsalves once again found the equalizing goal a minute later on another solo score at the 3:24 mark of the third period.
- The Bantoms struck last in the period on a man-down score at the 3:02 mark to lead 6-5 entering the fourth.
- In the final period of play, Skidmore came out firing with the tying score by freshman Mike Aiello at the 12:21 mark, before Gonsalves found junior David Koffler to retake the lead at 7-6 with 9:22 remaining.
- Trinity tied the game up with a solo goal at the 5:13 mark, before ultimately striking with the go-ahead score at the 2:03 mark to lead 8-7.
- The Thoroughbreds had one final chance to force overtime in the final 90 seconds, but the 18th save of the evening by Trinity's goalie ultimately sealed the game.
STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS
- Gonsalves finished with two goals, four assists and one groundball.
- Byrne recorded two goals and three groundballs.
- McFadden finished with one goal while forcing four caused turnovers.
- Making his season debut, and first appearance since 2023, senior goalie Collin Kuester recorded nine saves, five groundballs and also assisting on one goal on offense.
- Freshman Michael Dearborn finished with five groundballs and also caused two turnovers.
- Junior Jason Fastiggi finished 10-18 on face offs and picked up four groundballs.
UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds will remain at Wachenheim Field on Saturday to host SUNY Cortland in a 1 PM matchup.
