MLAX: Skidmore nips Lasell in overtime in season opener

NEWTON, Mass. – Freshman Charlie McFadden (Edmonton, Alb.) scored the game-winning goal 22 seconds into overtime Tuesday afternoon as Skidmore College nipped Lasell University, 12-11, in the men's lacrosse season opener for both teams at Grellier Field. 

Skidmore battled from behind to pull out the win, coming back from a 6-1 second-quarter deficit and getting goals from freshmen Charlie Kessler (Charlotte, N.C.) and Matt Pinckney (West Hartford, Conn.) in the final five minutes of regulation to force overtime. 

Lasell graduate student Chase Kapuscienski (Grafton, Mass.) led all scorers with five goals for the Lasers. Senior Colby Buccheri (Rowley, Mass.) and junior James Anderson (Medway, Mass.) added two goals and one assist each. 

Kessler and McFadden tallied five points apiece to lead the Thoroughbreds, Kessler with four goals and one assist and McFadden with two goals and three assists. Pinckney added three goals and an assist and freshman Brandon Reilly (Narragansett, R.I) scored twice. 

Lasell pulled ahead 6-1 early in the second quarter, including three goals by Kapuscienski. After Skidmore came back to tie it at 9-9 early in the fourth frame, the Lasers retook the lead on back-to-back goals by Anderson and Buccheri, but Kessler and Pinckney answered for Skidmore to force the extra session.

Skidmore had a 49-39 advantage in shots and a 42-32 margin in ground balls. Lasell junior goalie Alex Beauchemin (Westfield, Mass.) made 13 saves on 25 shots, while junior Christopher Downey (Seagirt, N.J) stopped 10 of 21 shots.

Lasell (0-1) is home again on Saturday, March 20, for a non-conference game against Nichols College (4 p.m.). Skidmore is slated to play again on Saturday, March 27, at home against Union College (1:00 p.m.)

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