(CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY) – The Thomas More University men's lacrosse team defeated Malone University in overtime on Tuesday (March 24) by a score of 16-15. Redshirt Sophomore
Bryce Collins (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy / Mercyhurst) scored the golden goal as the first overtime period came to a close after the Saints mounted a fourth quarter comeback.
- Malone scored the first six goals of the game.
- Bryce Collins scored Thomas More's first goal with 13:47 remaining in the second quarter on a man-up situation.
- Senior James Kendrick (Springboro, OH / Springboro) scored three and a half minutes later.
- Freshman Gus Kleeman (Mason, OH / Mason) scored the Saints final goal in the first half with an assist from senior Spencer Lethbridge (Cleveland, OH / Olmsted Falls) at the 8:18 mark. The Pioneers took a 9-3 lead into the break.
- The Saints started their comeback efforts quickly into the second half as Spencer Lethbridge scored less than 45 seconds into the third quarter.
- Junior Noah Koenig (Erlanger, KY / Dixie Heights) got an assist from Bryce Collins at the 13:34 mark of the third quarter for another Thomas More goal.
- Freshman Eric Wong (Union, KY / Cooper) had a goal at the 5:58 mark with an assist from James Kendrick as the Saints trailed 13-6 as the third quarter ended.
- Spencer Lethbridge scored his second goal at the 13:29 mark of the fourth quarter.
- Malone scored a goal before Thomas More had 7 unanswered to tie the game at 14. Those goals were scored by Spencer Lethbridge (2), Bryce Collins (2), Noah Koenig (2), and Eric Wong. Bryce Collins, Eric Wong, and Noah Koenig each got an assist on those goals.
- Malone scored a goal with 14 seconds remaining in the game to take a 15-14 lead. Spencer Lethbridge tied the game with a goal with one second left in regulation with an assist from junior Stephen Schodowski (Chula Vista, CA / St. Augustine) who won the faceoff.
- As the teams battled in overtime for the final goal, Spencer Lethbridge connected with Bryce Collins who found the net with just four seconds remaining in the first overtime period for the golden goal.
- Spencer Lethbridge peppered the Malone goalkeepers with 19 shots. He scored five goals and had two assists.
- Bryce Collins also had double-digit shots with 12. He scored four goals and had two assists. He also had 4 ground balls and caused two Pioneer turnovers.
- Noah Koenig scored three goals on his five shots and had an assist.
- Eric Wong scored twice on his five shots and picked up an assist. He had three ground balls.
- James Kendrick and Gus Kleeman scored a combined two goals on a combined three shots.
- Stephen Schodowski won 18 of his 27 face offs and picked up 10 ground balls and an assist.
- Freshman goalkeeper Jack Schiff (Cincinnati, OH / Buxton / Cincinnati State CC / Hudson Valley CC) had seven saves in the second half to help on the defensive side of the Thomas More comeback.
The Saints will be back in action on Saturday (March 28) as they travel to Grand Rapids, Michigan to take on Davenport. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM.
