OBERLIN, Ohio – The Trine University men's lacrosse team mounted a valiant comeback attempt in the fourth quarter but came up just short of their hosts from Oberlin College. The 10-9 loss is the first of the season for the team.
Vin Pantano opened the scoring in the game with an unassisted goal in the fourth minute of play. Ultimately the two teams traded goals in the first quarter with Riley Fischer adding another goal for the Thunder. The game was tied 2-2 at the first break.
Landen Kruse gave Trine another lead in the opening minutes of the second, with Pantano adding an assist. The Yeos took over the rest of the half, outscoring the visitors 5-1. Chris Molnar added the final goal of the half for the Thunder and the game went to intermission with home side leading 7-4.
Oberlin scored the first two goals of the second half, building their lead to its largest at 9-4. It wasn't the end though, with the Thunder starting a 4-0 run of their own that spanned the end of the third period and beginning of the fourth. Rocco Curatola and Pantano each scored twice in the stretch, pulling the team back within a goal with just over seven minutes remaining.
The Yeos gave themselves a bit more room a few seconds later with their tenth goal of the game and then played tough defense for the remainder. Molnar cracked through in the final minute to give Trine nine on the board, but they couldn't get another goal and that score went final.
Pantano led the team offensively with three goals and two assists. Curatola finished second with three points on two goals and an assist. Molnar also had two goals.
Defensively, Danny Kelly finished the day with four caused turnovers and six ground balls, both led the team. Nick Fariello finished second with five ground balls on his way to 11 faceoff wins. Luke Arnold played the game in net and made 16 saves despite allowing the ten goals.
Trine finishes the day with a 4-1 record. They will travel to face Otterbein University on Tuesday, March 3 for their next contest. That game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
