Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Despite a valiant comeback bid, the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team could not overcome a three-goal halftime deficit as CNU dropped a 7-6 decision to Frostburg State during a Capital Athletic Conference clash on a cloud-covered Saturday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.

During the contest, Joey Rolando excelled on both sides of the ball, scoring a pair of goals to go along with two caused turnovers. Brenden Dwyer and John Keohane also forced four turnovers apiece to headline a stout defensive effort, which kept the Frostburg State attack in-check throughout most of the afternoon.

Unfortunately, the Captains were never quite able to overcome their early deficit as the hosts pulled within one on multiple occasions but fell short of forcing overtime. The setback, which snapped CNU's seven-game winning streak, drops the squad to 7-2 on the season, including 1-1 in league action. Frostburg State now sits at 9-2 with a 2-1 conference record.

After finding themselves down, 5-2, at the start of the third quarter, the Captains made an impressive run. Although Billy Lark controlled the faceoffs throughout much of the first half for the visitors, the tide began to turn early in the third. Nick Kirschke won the opening battle and immediately scooted into the FSU zone. Despite an early save by the Bobcats, CNU continued to press.

Eventually, Parker Thompson took control of the ball near the top of the zone. Charging hard on the near side of the field, the junior cut back to clear a defender, found some room, and fired a dart from the right side that spun cleanly into the back of the net to pull CNU back within two.

With some momentum, Kirschke won the ensuing faceoff before Teddy Pekalski secured the loose ball. Less than a minute later, John Thompson matched his cousin with a laser through the FSU defense to cut the deficit down to one at 5-4.

After that point, the two teams began trading blows. Frostburg State regained a two-goal edge with nine minutes remaining in the third before Dwyer swung the momentum back to CNU's side. After the visitors took the next faceoff, Dwyer regained possession of the ball after landing a devastating blow on a Bobcat, which sent the opponent flipping head-over-heels. Back in control, Randy Foster took advantage on the offensive end with a one-timer at the seven-minute mark that chipped the deficit back down to one.

Unfortunately, Frostburg State answered with another goal and used an impressive defensive stand, which included back-to-back saves by Tyler Haines, to roll into the final period with a 7-5 edge.

Needing a big fourth quarter, Christopher Newport controlled possession. Despite three more saves by Haines early in the stanza, the hosts continued to attack. The defense also did its job, forcing a pair of turnovers by Dwyer and Steven West to keep the ball on the CNU end. Unloading a barrage off shots from nearly every spot on the field, the squad finally pieced together a successful offensive stand with one minute left.

Following a CNU timeout, Adam Abbate took control on the far side of the field and dished back to Rolando, who settled near the top of the zone. Needing a quick strike, the sophomore standout came through with a bullet to give the squad new life. Later, Keohane and West each forced crucial turnovers during the final 50 seconds to provide some hope for the offense, but a last-ditch shot was brushed aside to seal the 7-6 victory for FSU.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 38-24 advantage in shots and a 29-18 lead in ground balls. Frostburg State led the way on faceoffs, securing 10 of the game's 17 battles. Kirschke held his own, however, winning seven of his 13 attempts during the contest.

Although the game was a close battle at the end, the Bobcats jumped out to an early lead in the first half. In the opening quarter, the visitors grabbed a 4-1 lead despite a man-up goal by Rolando following a beautiful pass by Brooks Billings. Later, the squad grabbed a four-goal edge early in the second before Dave Magdeburger responded just before half.

With two minutes remaining in the second quarter, the sophomore curled around a defender on the near side and wrapped a shot around the post to pull CNU back within three at 5-2. Unfortunately, the squad could do little else before the break and fell just short after halftime.

Christopher Newport will look to get back on track on Wednesday when the squad hosts No. 2 Salisbury at 4 p.m.

---CNU---