BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Devin Lampron's game-tying goal with 1:14 to go in regulation was just the beginning of the heroics for the sophomore on Friday night at Lehigh. In the second overtime of the season opener for Fairfield University Men's Lacrosse, Lampron converted a feed from
KJ Delane to lift the Stags past the Mountain Hawks, 14-13.
Opening against Lehigh for the fourth straight season, the Stags knocked off the Mountain Hawks for the second consecutive year to start the campaign at 1-0.
The dramatic conclusion to Friday's game was fueled by a furious Lehigh rally, as the hosts netted seven consecutive goals in the fourth quarter to take a 13-12 lead with 3:15 to play. Just over a minute later, the Stags would need to squash a Lehigh EMO to facilitate the comeback, as Lampron was whistled offside with 1:52 remaining. Fairfield forced a turnover and went on the clear;
Shane Elliott carried the ball across midfield just as Lampron was returning to the field. Elliott connected with the attackman who fired from the restraining line into a vacated Lehigh cage to knot the game at 13-13 with 1:14 to play.
The Stags' defense was called upon once again as Lehigh won the ensuing faceoff and forced another turnover, with goalkeeper
Owen Hirsch collecting a ground ball just before time expired to send the contest into overtime.
A frantic first overtime was highlighted by caused turnovers by
Andrew Kasten and
Bryce Hrubiec, as well as ground balls for Hrubiec and
Nate Livingston as the first four minute session went without a goal.
In the second overtime, Hirsch made the last of his 14 saves to give the Stags another shot at the win. This time, Lampron delivered the game-winner and sent the victorious Stags sliding into the rapidly falling snow at Lehigh's Ulrich Sports Complex.
Will Consoli paced the Fairfield attack on the day with a hat trick and an assist for four points. Lampron and Delane each had two goals and an assist, while
Jake Gilbert and
Jason LaMay Jr. contributed a goal and two helpers apiece.
A total of 10 Stags factored into the scoring, including
Luke Patchen with two goals in his collegiate debut. Kasten,
Rob Moore, and
Jeremiah Wade each added one goal, and Elliott recorded an assist on Lampron's late equalizer.
Daniel Davis went 16-for-29 at the faceoff X, taking all but two draws in the contest. Davis collected four ground balls from the circle, while Kasten grabbed four grounders to go along with his two caused turnovers, and Elliott picked up three ground balls from the defensive midfield.
The back line was led by All-America defensemen
Julian Radossich with five ground balls and two caused turnovers, and Livingston nabbed four ground balls with one caused turnover.
Hirsch's 14 saves put him over .500 in cage in his 66:09 of action. The Fairfield goalkeeper entered his final campaign with a .511 career save percentage.
Fairfield Men's Lacrosse returns to action and takes to Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 14 for a noon visit from Brown. Admission is free for all fans.
