Moon Township, PA. — What was a slow, gritty defensive battle in the NEC Championship quickly evolved into a dramatic and flashy end, as the Robert Morris men’s lacrosse team needed a Graeme MacLennan rocket with 1.8 seconds left to see them past Long Island University, 8-7.
MacLennan, who won tournament MVP, only had scored 13 times prior to today’s championship. Yet the senior from Ontario provided a hattrick on what could be his final home game to help lift his team to a second consecutive NEC championship.
“Coach drew up a great play.” MacLennan said after the game. ” I have the best teammates in the world. They got me open. Ben Eck took a big hit and made the play.”
The game was tightly contested heading into the fourth quarter, setting up nicely for the dramatic finish. The two top teams, both in the standings and in the offensive category, combined for only ten goals heading into the final frame. Both teams averaged more per game throughout the season, but the stingey defenses did see some slips.
The Colonials saw two – two goal deficits cut in half at the end of the first and second quarter, with the Sharks scoring with less than a second left in both instances. Yet braces from NEC POTY Dylan Anderson and Joel McCormick saw RMU maintain the advantage at the break, 5-4.
The third quarter would be the real anomaly, with only one goal scored in the 15 minute span. That goal would belong to Tommy Linehan, a freshman from New York.
Entering the fourth, LIU knew they not only had to chase the deficit, but also show why they belonged. Prior to today, the Sharks had only been shutout twice in a quarter, once to Rutgers and another time to Monmouth.
Aidan Zuhoski and Antony Tsakos would be those difference makers, each scoring to tie the game with seven minutes left.
MacLennan would respond five minutes later, once again giving RMU the lead, 7-6. Many would have expected the Colonials to close it out, not only because of the tough defensive effort the team has displayed recently, but because of the heroics of goaltender Nate Fechter, who had 18 saves on the 25 shots on goal from LIU.
Besides MacLennan, Fechter, Owen Tapper, and Joel McCormick also earned all-tournament nods.
Fetcher would stifle efforts from the Sharks multiple times, especially as time waned, but Aidan Zuhoski would once again play hero, scoring with 27 seconds left to tie it up.
Enter Graeme MacLennan.
Following a timeout from Colonial head coach Craig McDonald, Dylan Anderson would find Ben Eck, who drove into the LIU defensive zone, taking a huge hit but not before getting the ball off to MacLennan, who rocketed a shot past LIU keeper Brayden Wilcken with 1.8 second remaining, winning it for RMU.
The win not only sees the team go back to back in the NEC, but also gives them the opportunity to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. After the game Coach McDonald said he was happy “to have another few days together.”
“I’m so excited for the guys.” Coach McDonald said. “They worked so hard for this. Every year is different. Last year is last year, and this year is these guys’ year. I’m just happy for them to be able to earn it.”
The Colonials will have to wait until tomorrow for the NCAA selection Sunday show to see their next opponent. Last season the team fell in a play-in game against Air Force at Joe Walton Stadium, so a chance for redemption could await the team this season.
Most recently the team was mocked to face Jacksonville in another play-in, with the winner travelling to face top seeded Notre Dame. Jacksonville takes on last year’s opponent, Air-Force, tomorrow in the ASUN championship, so a potential preview of RMU’s future could be on display tomorrow at 1 P.M.
The NCAA selection show will be live on ESPNU at 9:30 tomorrow with opening round games scheduled to take place at the higher seed’s home on Wednesday, May 6.
