RICHMOND — In a battle of two young strong lacrosse programs, the Richmond Spiders were outlasted in overtime at home versus No. 17 Marquette 11-10 at Robins Stadium. Richmond was receiving votes in both major polls this week, their first votes in a poll in the young history of the program. The Spiders are in the early stages of their second season of NCAA men’s lacrosse, while the Golden Eagles are one season ahead of them in their varsity lacrosse era.
The loss was Richmond’s first of the season, while the Golden Eagles stay unbeaten at 3-0, all three wins coming by one-goal margins.
Both teams were led by their star power. Richmond sophomore Mitch Goldberg (Damascus, Maryland) tied his own school record set last week with five more goals, including a tying goal with 7.1 seconds in regulation that sent the game into the extra period.
Marquette had a six-goal performance from graduate student Jordan Greenfield, which included the game-winner just 65 seconds into the overtime period.
The lead changed hands three times in the opening period. After Marquette scored 66 seconds into the contest, Goldberg scored twice in a three-minute window to put UR up 2-1. The Golden Eagles scored the last two goals of the period, including Greenfield’s first to end the period and lead 3-2 after one.
The Spiders scored three of the four goals in the second quarter to take a 5-4 halftime edge. Richmond outscored Marquette 6-1 in the second and third quarters to build a commanding 8-4 lead. Five different Spiders found the back of the net in the run, and UR was a perfect 11-for-11 in clears in the middle two periods.
Marquette made its run in the fourth quarter, scoring the first four goals of the period to level the game at eight. Greenfield scored the first two goals of the quarter to steal the momentum back to the visitors. Both teams led the period after that point. MU’s Conor Gately scored with 16.7 seconds remaining to appear to win the game, but after a timeout, Richmond won the faceoff on a foul and Goldberg found the back of the net on a strong shot for the game-tying goal.
Marquette won the overtime faceoff and worked for the good shot from Greenfield, who ended the game from the right side of the net up high and in.
Richmond goalie Benny Pugh (Powhatan, Virginia / Woodberry Forest School) made 16 saves in the game, one shy of his school record from last season. He tied for the game-high total with six ground balls.
Marquette goalie Jimmy Danaher made 11 saves in the game and improved his record to 3-0.
The Spiders will return to action this Saturday, February 28, when they host UMBC at Robins Stadium. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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