MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Rhodes men's lacrosse team fell in overtime on Saturday to Southern Athletic Association rivals Birmingham Southern College, 11-10
The Lynx fall to 7-3 on the year and 1-1 in SAA play, while the Panthers improve to 6-3 on the season and 2-0 in league action.
Ryan Fennelly got things started for the Lynx just 45 seconds into the contest, netting a
Cooper Robinson pass for the early 1-0 lead. The Panthers answered back, scoring three straight goals for the 3-1 lead. Fennelly again found the back of the net to halt the BSC scoring, and post a score of 3-2 with 6:12 to play in the period.
The teams traded goals to end the period, with
Justin Powers working a shot into the back of the net, as the Lynx trailed 4-3 at the end of the first.
Things slowed down for the Panthers, and heated up for the Lynx as
Austin Bridgforth netted the game tying goal just 55 seconds into the period. BSC netted a goal in response, but Bridgforth and
Mike Knudsen netted a pair of goals each to close the half and give Rhodes the 6-5 edge at the break.
In the second half of action, it was all Panthers as they netted the lone three goals of the period.
In the fourth quarter, the Lynx were fired up, and after an opening BSC goal,
Jason Lee, Bridgforth and
Peter Baricev each netted a goal to knot the contest at 9-9. The Panthers worked in a shot at the 9:58 mark, but Rhodes'
Tommy Reingruber had the answer at the 4:09 mark when he tied the contest at 10-10. The stalemate held through to the end of regulation, forcing overtime.
The Lynx held the Panthers scoreless through the first overtime period, but the Panthers broke through the Rhodes defense to net a goal at 1:15 into the second overtime period, with the Lynx falling 11-10.
The contest was a close battle all around, with the Lynx being just edged by the Panthers in shots on goal, 25-23. The ground ball race was an even 16-16 all, with the Lynx going 20-22 on clear attempts. The Lynx also won the faceoff category by a count of 15-10.
Thomas Matthews stood strong in goal for the Lynx for all 65:15 of play, grabbing 14 saves in the net.
Rhodes will be back in action on March 27 when they head to Rome, Ga. to take on conference foes Berry College.
