Posted: Apr 15, 2009
SALEM, Va. --- #2 Roanoke College needed some late magic and a little luck to get past #5 Washington & Lee, 14-13 in overtime at Kerr Stadium Wednesday evening. Zach Thomas' goal with 2:39 remaining in the sudden victory claimed the Maroons' 15th victory of the season.
The milestone win tied the school-record for single-season wins with the 2005, 2006 and 2007 teams. The 15-game win streak surpasses the 2006 team for the longest in school-history. Thomas is now in a class all by himself in Roanoke Lacrosse, becoming the only player in school-history as a member of four 15-win seasons.
Roanoke won the groundball war with a slim, 44-39 advantage in addition to a 48-47 edge in shots. The Maroons were successful in 17-of-20 clear attempts.
The Maroons jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first period before Washington & Lee scored five unanswered goals to take a 6-4 lead. Jeff Keating found Thomas for his first goal of the game to go into the half down one, 6-5.
The Generals kept the momentum in the third period, scoring four of the first six goals of the second half to take a 10-7 lead. Tim Skeen's man-down goal from James Shanahan gave their squad a three-goal lead and seemed in control with just over four minutes left.
But in the last two minutes of the period, the Maroons reeled off three-straight goals to tie the contest at 10-all heading into the fourth quarter.
The Generals looked destined for the win, as Harry St. John and Will Keigler scored three of the next four goals to take a seemingly commanding 13-11 lead with four minutes left in regulation.
Just 16-seconds after the Generals took a two-goal lead, Stephen Simmons brought some life back to the crowd with a groundball off the face-off and found an open Matt Quinton to bring them back to within one, 13-12.
Thomas sent the game into overtime as his uncontested shot found the back of the net to tie it at 13-apeice heading into the extra period.
Sam Love led the Maroons with seven groundballs and five caused turnovers. Simmons collected five groundballs and caused four turnovers with an assist in the fourth period.
Thomas finished the night with a team-high three goals and one assist. Quinton and Joseph Coretti netted two goals while Brian Foley added a game-high three assists. Keating dished out two assists.
Keigler finished with a game-high four goals and one assist for W&L. Skeen added two goals and two assists while Seth Fishman notched two goals.
Jake Dorsey stopped a season-best 18 shots for Roanoke in addition to five groundballs. Connor Locke had 13 saves in goal for the Generals.
The men will host Virginia Wesleyan in the regular season finale this Saturday, April 18 during the alumni weekend. The Maroons hold a 16-3 series advantage over the Marlins and will look to avenge last season's 15-12 loss in Virginia Beach. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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