Late Goal Gives No. 7 Virginia an 11-10 Win at Drexel

Sunday, February 16

Vidas Field

12:00

Drexel University

0-1

#7 Virginia

3-0

Virginia

Drexel

Late Goal Gives No. 7 Virginia an 11-10 Win at Drexel

2/16/2014 3:25:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

Philadelphia, Pa. – Mark Cockerton's scored his second goal of the game with just 15 seconds remaining in regulation to give No. 7 Virginia an 11-10 win at Vidas Field. It was the third straight time the Cavaliers (3-0) have beaten the Dragons (0-1) by just one goal.

The Dragons, playing in their season-opener trailed by as many as four goals in the second half before mounting a comeback. Nick Trizano scored an unassisted goal with 2:24 left in the third making it 9-6. Just over a minute later, Mason Pynn set up Cole Shafer for his second of the game cutting the lead to two. Shafer wasn't done for the day. The freshman scored the first two goals of the fourth quarter, the latter on a feed from T.J. Foley, to even the contest at 9-9 with 8:49 to play.

Both goalkeepers kept their teams in the game in the fourth period. Matt Barrett made four fourth quarter saves for Virginia, while Cal Winkleman turned aside five shots for the Dragons. Cockerton put Virginia up 10-9 with 2:56 to play with an unassisted tally, but again Drexel would answer. This time, Hank Brown fed Trizano as he came from behind the net, and the senior scored his fourth goal of the game to tie it with 1:57 remaining.

Drexel had possession but turned the ball over in the final minute, setting the stage for Cockerton's game-winner. On the play, Drexel's Ben McIntosh was whistled for a trip, so the Dragons would face-off with a man-down. Nick Saputo won the draw and raced towards the cage. His bounce shot was saved by Barrett with six seconds remaining. The clock stopped with just three seconds left as Virginia was penalized, but the Dragons were unable to get a shot before time expired as the Cavaliers defeated Drexel for the seventh straight time.

Drexel led 5-3 but Virginia closed the half with three straight goals to take a 6-5 lead at intermission. James Pannell scored at the 5:02 mark and then tied it up with 1:45 with an unassisted goal that he fired over Will Gabrielsen's shoulder from seven yards out. Owen Van Arsdale set up Rob Emery with :17 left in the first half to close the first half scoring. The Cavaliers extended their run to six straight goals with the first three scores of the third period. Pat Harberson, Greg Coholan and Ryan Tucker gave the Cavaliers a seemingly safe 9-5 cushion.

Saputo was outstanding all day for Coach Voelker's squad. The junior won 19 of his 25 face-off attempts and tied a career-high with 15 ground balls. Trizano and Shafer each finished with four goals for Drexel. Brown had a pair of assists. Will Gabrielsen made five saves in the first half before Winkelman entered the game to start the second half. The sophomore finished with eight saves. Drexel committed 19 turnovers, including six in the fourth quarter.
Van Arsdale and Cockerton each finished with two goals and two assists. Emery also had two goals for Virginia, which has now won each of its first three games by one goal. Barrett recorded a career-best 16 saves.

The Dragons return to action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Albany to face the high-powered Great Danes.