ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Siena Heights men's lacrosse team opened the 2018 season in dramatic fashion as a last second goal by Shane Lewandowski lead the Saints to an 11-10 upset victory over No. 5 Missouri Baptist, on Saturday. SHU scored five goals in the fourth quarter, including three in the final two minutes, to clinch the comeback victory.
Adding the lone Saints'(1-0) goal in the first quarter was Nolan Lyons, tying it 1-1 but the Spartans found the net two more times in the first to make it 3-1.
Lots of action in the second quarter resulted in a MBU goal to open the scoring, followed by four consecutive goals by the Saints to gain a 5-4 lead. The lead was short-lived as Missouri Baptist scored twice in the final six seconds on the first half, heading into halftime with a 6-5 MBU lead.
The momentum seemed to be rolling in favor of the Spartans, outscoring SHU 4-1 in the third quarter to earn a 10-6 lead as both teams prepared for the final quarter of action.
Starting the fourth quarter was slow, until a foul forced an MBU goalie change. Siena Heights capitalized on their opportunity as Alex Gilbert netted one in the lower corner on the replacement goalie to start the Saints drive with 6:04 remaining in the contest. Less than two minutes later, starting goalie Robert Ates turned over the ball at the half, allowing Shane Lewandowski to score on an open net to make it 8-10.
With 2:01 left in regulation, Dan Diffenderfer sent the ball to Garnet Potter who finished one over the head of Ames from the top of the crease: 9-10. At the 1:07 mark, Lewandowski found some room and drove to the net, scoring high to tie it at 10-10. An MBU turnover in the Saints defensive third was picked up by Patrick Albrandt at the 00:19 mark. SHU quickly worked down the field, Lyons sending the ball to Lewandowski who sent the game-winner between the pipes with 00:01 left in regulation.
Lewandowski scored four goals while adding two assists to help SHU to their season-opening victory. Danny Orr and Ryan Mamo each scored twice for the Saints, adding six and three groundballs, respectively. With solo goals for SHU was Gilbert, Lyons and Potter. In the circle, Travis Byrd went 6-17 in faceoff as Broderick Ames was 4-6. Parker Richards, Tanner Cowell and Byrd each caused two turnovers.
Sean Hess and Austin Dahl each scored a hat trick for the Spartans (0-1), while Dahl picked up seven ground balls. Also scoring for Missouri Baptist was Alex Todd, Andy Coulter, Jaxon Haas and Devin Mayer. Dahl went 9-13 in faceoffs for MBU as Mayer caused the lone turnover.
Goalie Tyler Hooper stopped eight shots and picked up a groundball for the Saints, earning the win. Ames took the loss for the Spartans, making 10 saves while allowing 10 goals. Also playing in net for MBU was Alex Lauko, allowing a goal.
The Saints will return to action Sunday as they face Benedictine (Kan.) in a 12 p.m. CST non-conference match, hosted by Missouri Baptist.