Box Score Buffalo, N.Y. - A late second-half rally fell short as the Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team was defeated in overtime, 8-7, by Canisius College Tuesday afternoon in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Colonials (3-6, 0-3 CAA) battled back from a 5-0 halftime deficit with a 7-2 scoring run through the second half to force an overtime. Junior Michael Fleming (Sarnia, Ontario / St. Christopher), Junior Andrew Watt (Kitchener, Ontario / Grand River Collegiate) and Senior Carlo Sunseri (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Mt. Lebanon) led the rally, scoring two goals a piece. Sunseri also tallied an assist giving him three points in the game.
Junior Alex Sewell (Mount Airy, Md. / Linganore) was a force at the face-off circle for RMU, winning ten of his 18 face-off attempts.
Robert Morris came out of the halftime break singing a different tune, holding Canisius scoreless in the third quarter. Watt marked his 17th of the season at the 13:13 followed up by goals from Michael Fleming and Carlo Sunseri at 12:15 and 6:17 to pull the Colonials within three.
In the fourth, Canisius answered the RMU scoring drive with a tally by Kiel Illg to push the Golden Griffins lead to three. The score didn't affect the visiting teams' offense as Sunseri and Watt produced back-to-back goals closing gap to one goal and a 6-5 score.
Kevin Ross, who led the Golden Griffins with four goals on the day, gave Canisius a two goal lead when he picked up his fourth of the game at 5:17.
With momentum still in the Colonials favor, Robert Morris closed the gap with the games next two goals. Michael Fleming put away his ninth of the year at 4:35 while Colonials would get a lucky bounce on the next goal.
After winning the ensuing face-off, Canisius forced a bad pass back to their goal keeper that sailed over his head and into the back of the net for an own goal at 4:20. The score tied the game, 7-7, and forced an over-time period.
In the extra-time session, the second-half rally for the Colonials came to an abrupt end when Brad Favero put an unassisted score away to give the Golden Griffins their eighth goal of the game and the victory.
Freshman Sal Barcia (West Islip, N.Y. / West Islip) registered the loss in goal for Robert Morris making nine save in 60 minutes played.
Robert Morris out-shot Canisius, 35-29, and held the advantage in face-offs, winning 10-19. Canisius won the ground ball battle, 32-29.
The Colonials jump back into the thick of Colonial Athletic Association play this Saturday, April 14, when they host #16 Drexel. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. at Joe Walton Stadium.
