LISLE, ILL.-- Andrew Zmijewski's goal in the second-overtime lifted Benedictine (Ill.) to a 8-7 victory over the Trine men's lacrosse team Sunday evening.
Zmijewski's goal with 1:27 reamaining in the second-overtime stanza capped a tight contest that featured six ties and six lead changes. Zmijewski scored two goals, notched five ground balls and caused two turnovers. Jake Ahearn (Naperville, Ill./Naperville) and Paul Carlquist (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) each scored two goals and notched five ground ball to lead Trine. The Thunder outshot Benedictine 43-34 in the contest, but were outshot 6-2 in the overtime periods. Trine falls to 0-5 on the season.
Stephen Link scored three goals and picked up five ground balls to pace Benedictine. Blake Keenan added a pair of goals, while Kyle Wagner assisted on two tallies. Jeffrey Smitheram made 12 saves in goal to earn the victory.
Chris Ward (Oak Lawn, Ill./St. Rita) put together a solidl all-around effort for Trine, scoring a goal and assisting on two others. Rob Brzezinski (Livonia, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) won 15-of-20 face-offs. Matt Lamb (Akron, Ohio/Revere) made nine saves in net for the Thunder.
After falling behind 3-1 after the first quarter, Trine stormed back with a three-goal run in the second. Ahearn and Ward scored 54 seconds apart to tie the score at 3-3. Ward picked up the assist on Ahearn's goal. Carlquist added an unassisted tally with 4:21 on the clock to give the Thunder a 4-3 lead going into the break.
The two teams played to an even 2-2 in the third as Trine retained their one-goal lead.
A Zmijewski goal tied the score at six in the fourth-quarter, but Carlquist answered with an unassisted goal to put the Thunder up 7-6 with 5:21 to play. Keenan's final goal of the day knotted the score at seven-apiece with just 2:15 remaining.
Neither team was able to break through in the first overtime, which set the stage for Zmijewski's game-winner.
Trine returns to action Wednesday, Mar. 19 when they host the College of Wooster at 4:00 p.m. in Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium.
