Box Score Johnson, Vt. – The Thomas College men's lacrosse team rallied from a two goal deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime against North Atlantic Conference foe Johnson State. In the extra session junior Sean Machin scored the game winner after connecting with Matt Davis for the 12-11 win.
With the win the Terriers improve to 3-7 (3-3 NAC) on the season, while Johnson slips to 2-7 (1-5 NAC).
The Terriers spotted the Badgers three goals in the early going of the first quarter as defensive break downs lead to a quick 3-0 lead for the home team. The Terriers got their offense rolling in the later parts of the first quarter with goals from Gunnar Shelton and Erik Tiner II evening the score at 3-3.
Machin put the Terriers on top in the at the 12:19 mark in the second quarter, but Johnson's Alex Pettie and Nash Garceau gave the lead back to the Badgers with 8:45 remaining in the half. Davis and Derek Racine took the lead back for the Terriers but a late goal from Johnson with 1:02 left in the half evened the score at six all at the break.
Machin broke the tie in the third but Johnson answered with four unanswered goals giving the Badgers a 10-7 lead before Shelton ended the run at the 5:32 mark.
Machin made it a one goal game in the first minute of play in the fourth quarter, but Johnson's Justin Connolly answered making it a two goal game less than a minute later. Down 9-11 with 13:02 to play the Terriers strung together a set of goals from Tiner II and Shelton tying the game up at 11 all. With 45 seconds the Terriers were able to block a Johnson shot keeping the game tied heading into overtime.
In the extra session a set of penalties put the Terriers two men down giving the Badgers an opening for the win. Thomas goalkeeper Jesse Morkeski rose to the occasion making a big save, the ensuing clear was successful but a Racine shot went wide giving the ball back the Badgers. A Johnson turnover right at the midfield line gave Davis an opening for a clutch groundball right as he was coming out of the penalty box. Davis ran down on the fast break where he found Machin for the game winning goal.
Morkeski made 21 saves against 32 Johnson shots for the win, while Zach Jerome shoulders the loss with a nine saver performance.
The Terriers finish their road trip with a 1:00 p.m. matchup with the Pilgrims of New England College tomorrow afternoon.
