Rosson Nets Game-Winner with Eight Seconds Left in Regulation
Dover, Del. - Sophomore attackman Dennis Rosson (Severna Park, Md./Severn) took a feed from sophomore midfielder Bobby Cooke (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron) with eight seconds remaining in regulation as St. Mary's College of Maryland notched a 9-8 Capital Athletic Conference men's lacrosse victory over Wesley College Saturday afternoon.
Junior captain Ryan Alexander (Laurel, Md./Pallotti) initiated the play which led to the game-winning goal as Alexander tracked down a loose ball with 11 ticks on the clock that had popped from right in front of the Wesley goal to about 35 yards.
Today's win marks the first time this season that the Seahawks (5-5, 3-2 CAC) have won back-to-back contests. Cooke had a career day with a hat trick and four points to lead the St. Mary's offense, while Rosson finished with a pair.
Cooke and sophomore attackman Chris Lacy (Baltimore, Md./St. Paul's) gave the Seahawks a 2-1 lead in the first quarter after Wesley struck first.
It was dead-even in the second period as both squads tallied three goals each for a 5-4 St. Mary's halftime advantage. Rosson scored the first of the stanza before the Wolverines (8-4, 4-3 CAC) responded with two straight for the game's first tie at 9:08. Freshman attackman Brendan Oster (Mt. Airy, Md./Urbana) found the back of the net six seconds later followed by Alexander's tally at 7:00 to give the visitors a two-goal cushion. WC's senior middie Justin Thompson (Pasadena, Md.) closed the gap to one with an unassisted goal at 0:19.
Wesley scored the first goal of the third period to knot it for the second time before three unanswered Seahawks goals, including two consecutive from Cooke, increased St. Mary's lead to 8-5 entering the fourth stanza.
The Wolverines came alive in the fourth with three goals in five minutes as Thompson helped on two, tying the game for the third and final time at 8-all with 2:30 remaining in the game.
Junior middie Nick Pisacano (Kings Park, N.Y.) led Wesley's offense with two goals and an assist, while Thompson and junior attackman Brad Smith (Glen Burnie, Md.) each had a goal and two helpers. In goal, senior Jim McCleaft (Media, Pa./Sun Valley) notched seven saves in the loss.
Senior captain Marc DiPasquale (Fallston, Md./Boys' Latin) aided the Seahawk cause by winning 15-of-21 face-offs, including winning 6-of-7 in the second period. DiPasquale also scooped up a game-high nine ground balls as St. Mary's dominated the Wolverines, 42-27, in loose ball pick-ups.
The Seahawks edged Wesley in shots, 39-36, while freshman Pat Simpson (Arnold, Md./Broadneck) turned away nine shots, including a save with 1:33 left in the game.
St. Mary's returns to action April 7 with a league tilt in Frederick, Md. against Hood College at 4:00.
