After an impressive start to the season with wins over Newmann University 7-2 and placing 15 goals behind Emmanuel College on the team’s spring break trip, the Elizabethtown College men’s lacrosse team had a tough set of games this week as they played Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Md. Frostburg State was coming in at 4-1 on the year after a massive 24-3 victory over Cazenovia; however, the Blue Jays had other plans.
The Blue Jays started out on a 4-1 lead after the first quarter with goals from junior Craig Hunsberger, first-year Jordan Bowser, senior Cory Boushell, and first-year Steve Nutting, but the Bobcats did not go down without a fight. In the second period, Frostburg State first-year Spencer Love ripped one to make it 4-2 for the only goal in the second quarter and brought them closer with another goal early in the third quarter to cut the Blue Jays’ lead to one.
Sophomore captain Devin Colegrove stepped up big with a goal for the Bobcats to tie the game at four goals apiece. It seemed that the Bobcats had control of the game when Hunsberger scored an unassisted goal for the Blue Jays to put them back in front 5-4. Late in the third quarter, Nuttting netted his second goal of the game as well to give the Blue Jays a two goal advantage.
Not even a minute went by in the third quarter before the Blue Jays struck again with junior Colin Corcoran taking the pass from sophomore Connor Rowe and smashing it home to make it 7-4 in favor of the Blue Jays. Once again the Blue Jays had a three-goal lead, and the Bobcats came roaring back with two goals from first-year Nick Stailey and Colegrove to cut the lead again for the Blue Jays down to one.
This time, however, the Blue Jays would not relinquish their lead as Boushell netted an unassisted goal to put the Blue Jays up 8-6. Devon Stailey scored a goal for the Bobcats late as the Blue Jays hung on by the final score of 8-7. History was made for the Blue Jays with this victory as the team started off 3-0 for the first time in the school’s history.
Up next was the biggest challenge the Blue Jays faced so far this season as they welcomed second-ranked Stevenson University, who are making their debut in the Middle Atlantic Conference this season. They were the highest ranked opponent the Blue Jays have encountered in the history of the program The Mustangs showed why they are deserving of their ranking.
The Mustangs average a little over thirteen goals per contest and unleashed their offensive prowess on the Blue Jays with seven goals in the first quarter alone. Senior Peter Green started the scoring and it continued with goals from junior Glen Tompkins, sophomore Sam Wyatt, two from senior Tyler Reid, one from senior Nick Rossi, and sophomore Mark Pannenton.
After the Mustangs added seven more goals in the second period to make it 14-0, the Blue Jays got on the board with an unassisted goal by first-year Tucker Keefer. The Mustangs placed another goal into the net, making it a 15-1 halftime lead.
The Mustangs slowed the scoring down with only four goals in the second half to the Blue Jays’ two to kick off the debut for the Mustangs with a convincing 19-3 victory.
Etown rebounded from the Stevenson game with a 18-14 win last night against Immaculata College. The Blue Jays took an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter and then led 10-4 at halftime. After a strong second half, Immaculata came within three goals at one point. However, Etown finished the game strong. First-year Jordan Bowser led the Jays with four goals, and first-year Steve Nutting and junior Craig Hunsberger each tallied three goals in the win.