Following fourth quarter surge, Great Danes fall in OT at Drexel

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — In a thrilling lacrosse matchup at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pa., the University at Albany men’s lacrosse team displayed resilience and determination but ultimately fell to Drexel in overtime, with a final score of 13-12.

The game began with Drexel striking first, taking an early lead on a goal from Jack Joyner. UAlbany’s response came swiftly, with Joey Carino netting his first collegiate goal, leveling the score at 1-1. The back-and-forth continued, with both teams trading goals. Jackson Palumb, leading the Great Danes in scoring with his first collegiate hat trick, showcased his offensive prowess to keep the game close.

As the first quarter came to a close, Drexel managed to regain the lead at 4-3, but UAlbany’s Palumb responded with a quick goal, tying the game at 3-3. The second quarter saw UAlbany take the lead with goals from Alex Pfeiffer and Ryan Doherty, but Drexel went on a six-goal scoring streak, establishing a 9-5 lead by halftime.

Undeterred, UAlbany mounted a comeback in the second half. Palumb and the team’s defensive standout, Jake Piseno, contributed crucial goals, narrowing the deficit to 10-9 by the end of the fourth quarter. The Great Danes’ tenacity continued as they scored back-to-back goals to tie the game at 11-11, forcing overtime.

In the extra period, both teams fought fiercely, but Drexel secured the victory with a goal from Joyner, ending the game with a final score of 13-12.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, UAlbany’s Head Coach Scott Marr expressed pride in the team’s effort, highlighting their ability to overcome a four-goal deficit in the fourth quarter.

“Again, I am very proud of our effort. Unfortunately, we just needed one more play. Down by four goals going into the fourth quarter and scoring six times to send it to overtime showed that our team has a lot of pride and heart. I believe in our group, just need to get one under our belt,” Marr stated.

Palumb’s hat trick, along with contributions from Silas Richmond, Amos Whitcomb, and others, showcased the team’s offensive firepower. Regan Endres displayed skill on faceoffs and even notched a goal, while goalie Landon Whitney made 14 saves.

Looking ahead, the Great Danes aim to bounce back in their next matchup against UMass on Saturday at noon, seeking their first win of the season and building on the heart and determination demonstrated in this closely contested battle against Drexel.