Furious rally falls just short as Men's Lacrosse drops 6-5 decision at Randolph (Va.)

By Tim Glon

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Ohio Northern staged a furious fourth quarter rally, but Randolph (Va.) held on for a 6-5 men's lacrosse victory Wednesday at WildCat Stadium.

The Polar Bears fall to 1-1, while the WildCats improve to 3-0.

Freshman Anthony Pavone scored twice to lead ONU.

Trailing 6-2 in the fourth quarter, Pavone started the rally with a goal off an assist from freshman Drew Eramo with 13:31 to play.

Freshman Noah St. Croix scored a goal with ONU a man down with 13:31 remaining off an assist from freshman Steven Slagle to make it 6-4.

Freshman Mitch Groves scored unassisted with 53 seconds left to get Ohio Northern within 6-5.

With momentum on their side, the Polar Bears got the ball back off a turnover and had the ball in the WildCats' attacking zone with 20 seconds to play.

But the Randolph defense stood firm and ONU was unable to get a shot off before time expired.

Slagle scored with just 44 seconds left in the first quarter to tie the game at 1-1 and Pavone scored at the 9:16 mark of the second quarter to give ONU a 2-1 lead.

But The WildCats would score the game's next five goals, holding ONU scoreless for nearly 25 minutes, until the Polar Bear offense got going again in the fourth period.

Ohio Northern out-shot Randolph 40-31 and won 10 of the 14 faceoffs.

The Polar Bears will return home to host Concordia (Ill.) on Saturday at 5 pm at Dial-Roberson Stadium.