Lasers Win Pilgrim League Tussle with MIT 10-9 in OT

Cambridge, MA- Lasell's junior attackman Brandon Keith (Marston Mills, Mass.) recorded the game winning goal in the Pilgrim Lacrosse League opener between the Lasers and MIT.   Lasell came away with a 10-9 win after Keith struck with just 1:49 remaining in the extra period.

Dave Bulhoes (Billerica, Mass.) put Lasell up 2-0 in the first three minutes of the game with Jon Elia (East Lyme, Conn.) and Keith tallying assists on the plays.  Neil Zimmerman retaliated for the Engineers at 8:03 to put MIT on the board, followed by a Ryan Ballentine goal, but Keith retorted by firing in two unassisted goals to end the first quarter 4-2.

MIT tied the game up midway through the second frame with the first two scores of the period, but Adam Foss put the Lasers back on top, 5-4, at 6:45.  Michael Fowler connected off a Ballantine pass for the Engineers to close end for halftime at 5-all.

Keith struck again to open the third quarter unassisted, however, a pair of man-up goals gave MIT their first lead of the game, 7-6, just under the four minute mark. 

In the final period of regulation, the Engineers doubled their advantage with another Ballantine tally.  The Lasers came back as Mike Maggio (Winchester, Mass.) found Ryan Koerner (Floral Park, NY) to connect past Garth Grove in MIT's net. 

Back-to-back connections by Maggio with just two minutes left in regulation gave Lasell the 9-8 lead.  The tying goal was scored with just 35 seconds remaining by MIT's Corey Garvey.  Lasell got two shots off in after the ensuing faceoff but the MIT goalkeeper saved both to force overtime. 

In the overtime period, Lasell's Matt Stambler (Bay Shore, NY) scooped up a ground ball on defense and forwarded the pass to Alex Engels (Weston, VT) who shot down field, quickly finding Keith who drilled the game-winning goal.

Keith finished with four goals and two assists for six points.  In addition to his one goal, Foss recorded 14 ground balls and won 15 of 19 face-offs. 

Lasell's Mike Kelliher (Weymouth, Mass.) recorded 14 saves as the Lasers netminder in the victory.

Both squads continue conference play on Saturday, April 4. MIT will travel to Massachusetts Maritime Academy while Lasell will host Wheaton College.