THE BASICS
Score: #6 Madonna University 7, Missouri Baptist University 6
Records: Madonna (1-0), Missouri Baptist (0-1)
Location: Spartan Field - St. Louis, Mo.
Turning Point: Vince Floro goal with 1:28 left in overtime
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - It was a slow start for the sixth-ranked Madonna University men's lacrosse team, but a five-goal second half and a sudden-victory goal from
Vince Floro gave the Blue and Gold a 7-6 overtime victory in their 2020 season opener at Spartan Field on Saturday.
The host Spartans scored three goals in the first 7:32 of the game and took a 3-1 lead into the half after Cameron Gayman got the Crusaders on the board with 3:45 to play in the first quarter.
Offensively the Blue and Gold came to life in the second half powered by Tyler Kilar who scored twice and added an assist on a man-up goal from Eddie Dyla. Trevor Callaghan scored the go-ahead goal at the 11:32 mark of the fourth quarter to make it 6-5 MU, but the home team added a man-down goal with 8:09 left to play to tie the score.
In the sudden-victory period, MBU committed a turnover with 1:47 left, Kent Westrick collected a ground ball and Floro tallied his third goal of the game to give MU the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Kilar (2 goals, assist) and Floro (3 goals) each tallied three points
- Nick Conrad tallied an assist for MU while Callaghan, Dyla, and Gayman each added a goal
- Four different Crusaders, Killar, Colin Allor, Abraham Khoury and Callaghan, each recorded a caused turnover while Kilar and Brendan Daschke each collected a team-best four groundballs
- Jeff Varner had an impressive collegiate debut as he made 13 saves in the win
- Madonna outshot MBU 48-36 with 26 on goal
- The Blue and Gold went 17-for-23 on clear attempts but were 3-for-10 in the faceoff circle
WALTER'S WORDS
- "This is a resilient group that didn't quit, which is impressive for the young team we have. It was a great comeback and we played excellent defense, but we came out flat offensively and we can't give away another half like that again. Jeff was impressive in goal and gave us the opportunity to come back." - Head Coach Mike Walter on the win
UP NEXT
- The Crusaders will face another team that received votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll when they return to action on Sunday, Feb. 23 against Ottawa University (Kan.) at Spartan Field in St. Louis.
- Live coverage links, if available, will be posted at www.mucrusaders.com.
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