The Varsity Lacrosse Team played host to Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA) yesterday afternoon in their final regular season matchup. Over the years this rivalry game has transcended each program’s record. The level of play by both teams is always elevated and emotions are always high.The Tigers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period of play with goals by senior Cadet Steele Burkett with Cadets Michael Sullivan and Walker Thompson receiving assists. Cadet Stephen Chain would add to the Tigers first quarter lead total with a solo effort after winning the faceoff. FUMA would respond with a pair of goals of their own in the first period of play to cut the Tiger’s lead down to 3-2. Thompson would find the net off a Burkett feed for the Tiger’s only goal of the second period. The second period of play would be dominated by the Blue Devils of Fork Union as they converted five times for scores and taking the lead into halftime 7-4.
Each team would trade goals at three apiece in the third period of play. Cadets Chain, Sullivan and Burkett would add the scoring for the Tigers, while Burkett and Thompson added assists to their game stat totals. At the end of the third period of play the tigers still trailed 10-7.
With Bragging rights and sheer pride on the line in the final period of play, the Tigers struck first as Chain converted a Thompson feed for a quick score to begin the period. Sullivan would add his 2nd and third goals of the day shortly after, while Cadet Russell Ferguson gathered an assist in the efforts cutting the FUMA’s lead to just 11-10 as they collected a goal as well. With Time running down Burkett, a team captain, scored and the tied the game at 11 all with just 2.0 seconds remaining in regulation. This forced an overtime period.
It would not take long for the Tigers to get the job done in the sudden death period of play as just two minutes in the the extra time as Sullivan, an attackman, placed a Thompson to Burkett to Sullivan pass in the back of the net to give the Tigers the win!
Defensive Standouts for the tigers where Ferguson who had three interceptions, two takeaways and one assist on the day. LSM Specialists Cadets Christian Mitchell and Logan Mitchell played a great game, each forcing mistakes by Fork Union and recovering a GB each. Goaltender Cadet Adrian Roman recovered brilliantly after having a subpar first half to record 13 saves on the day with his biggest stop coming late in the fourth period which was converted for the game tying goal.
In what can only be describe as a complete team effort, the Tigers clawed from down five goals to win a great Game between two great teams! With this win the Tigers finish the regular season at 7-4. This winning season has set a new landmark for the Tigers lacrosse program as 11 seasons have passed since the Tigers have seen an above .500 record.
