LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall men's lacrosse team battled 11th-ranked Dickinson to overtime before dropping a 12-11 thriller to the Red Devils. The Diplomats trailed 10-7 early in the fourth quarter before Carter Connors tied the game with 1:08 left in regulation. That goal came after the Diplomats thought they had tied the game only to see a goal called back for a player being whistled in the crease.
Connors' game-tying goal with 1:08 left in regulation was his team-leading fourth goal of the night. Mason Montrella was the only other Diplomat with multiple goals as F&M unleashed a diverse attack on the Red Devils before Preston Boyd scored just 1:04 into the sudden victory overtime period.
Dickinson jumped out to a 3-1 lead after 15 minutes of play, but goals from Jack Luviano, Liam Timmins, and Connors put the home side in front before the two teams eventually went to the locker room tied at four. Ben Dale scored the opening goal of the second half to give the Diplomats a temporary lead before the visitors scored six of the next eight goals to go up 10-7.
Connors started F&M's late rally before Montrella and Matt Marino helped to tie the game at 11-all. F&M thought it had tied the game with three minutes to play before Dale was called for being in the crease after scoring what was believed to be the game-tying goal. Teddy Scarborough came up huge for the Diplomats in goal all night as he recorded 23 saves, including one on the next possession that allowed F&M to force the extra period.
Dickinson had the better of the face-off X all night and the overtime was no exception. F&M initially had possession back when Owen Hire forced a turnover only to have Dickinson reclaim possession and score shortly after in the sudden victory period.
Dickinson finished with a 47-36 advantage in shots that was ultimately minimized by Scarborough's outstanding night. Ryan Schappell and Hire both caused two turnovers to aid in the defensive effort while Jackson Barnhill scooped up three ground balls and also caused a turnover.
Men's lacrosse will now face a critical matchup Saturday as the team celebrates Senior Day against Swarthmore at 3 p.m. inside Shadek Stadium. The Diplomats and Garnet are currently tied for the fifth and final playoff spot with just two games remaining in the regular season schedule.
