SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland men's lacrosse team came up just short Saturday afternoon (May 13) in their first-ever appearance in the second round of the NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament despite a career-best 16 saves by senior goalie Ben Robertson (Davidsonville, Md./South River). No. 5 Middlebury College (17-2) held on for a 10-9 victory over St. Mary's College (15-6) after the Panthers opened the game with a four-goal run.
 
The Seahawks have so much to be proud of this season, gaining the United East Conference regular-season title with a perfect 5-0 record, winning their second consecutive United East championship crown, and claiming the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament win.
 
How It Happened

• Following a Seahawk turnover, Middlebury scored four goals in a one-minute span to stake a 4-0 lead at 11:51.
• Senior captain Cal Wilcox (Fallston, Md./Fallston) notched St. Mary's first score of the game off an assist from sophomore attackman Keegan Preis (Upper Falls, Md./Loyola Blakefield), sparking a three-goal run to pull the Seahawks within 4-3 with 5:29 remaining in the first quarter.
• The Panthers stopped the run with a Cooper DeMallie tally for a two-goal lead before St. Mary's found the back of the net twice in the final 3:49 to head into the second frame in a 5-5 draw.
• Middlebury broke the draw at the eight-minute mark of the second period before junior midfielder Johnny McGrain (Lutherville-Timonium, Md./Dulaney) knotted the game a second time at six just over two minutes later.
• With less than two minutes left in the first half, the Panthers netted two goals to regain a two-goal advantage right before halftime.
• The third quarter was a defensive battle with the only score of the quarter happening at 2:48 as William Ryan tallied his 41st of the season to give Midd a 9-6 lead.
• St. Mary's won the fourth and final period, outscoring the Panthers, 3-1, to close the gap to 10-9 with 5:48 to go in the game.
• The Seahawks created several quality opportunities in the final minutes of the game but were unable to connect and force overtime.

Inside the Box Score

• Middlebury posted a 45-34 shot advantage and gained a 36-28 margin in ground balls.
• Turnovers were equal at 13 apiece.
• Face-offs went to the Panthers as they won 17-of-23 behind a 13-of-19 effort by William Munroe.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Wilcox, McGrain, and senior midfielder PJ Fenchak (Lutherville, Md./Towson) each put up two goals to lead the Seahawks while senior attackman Walker Krizman (Damascus, Md./Damascus) contributed a goal and an assist.
• Junior defenseman Ethan Little (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright) led the defense with three caused turnovers and three ground balls while Krizman and sophomore defensive midfielder Jeremy Heath (Chester, Md./Kent Island) each picked up three loose balls as well.

 
Middlebury Game Notes

• Ryan and Russell Thorndike paced the Panthers and all scorers with three goals each while Munroe scooped up a game-best seven ground balls.
• Hayden Kern kept Middlebury on top for the game with 14 stops.
• The Panthers advance to Sunday's third-round game and will take on the winner of the Union College-Western New England College matchup.

Up Next for the Seahawks

• Season Complete

 
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