LAX Caps Comeback with OT Winner vs. Regis

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College senior Adam Grillo scored the game-winning goal less than a minute into overtime as the Mariners pulled out a 7-6 victory over Regis College on Saturday afternoon in men's lacrosse action.

A goal by freshman Jordan Cook with only 16 seconds remaining in regulation sent the game into extra time. Regis won the face-off to earn the first possession of overtime, but a check by sophomore Wayne Brookbanks caused a turnover to give Mitchell the ball. After an initial shot attempt was blocked, Grillo scooped up the loose ball and deposited it into the back of the cage for the game winner.

Six different players scored for Mitchell (2-5 overall), which trailed for most of the contest and only held the lead for a 21-second stretch in the third quarter. Sophomore Demetre Lyras finished with a pair of goals to lead the Mariners. Chris Costello finished with three goals and an assist while Billy Stewart added a goal and three helpers to pace Regis (2-5 overall). 

The Pride led 1-0 at the half thanks to Costello's first score of the afternoon with 13:31 remaining in the second quarter. Regis took advantage of a Mitchell penalty and scored with the man advantage off a feed from Matt Vogan.

Stewart scored on another man-up opportunity in the early stages of the second half to make it 2-0. The Pride looked to be in control, but moments later a slashing penalty swung the momentum to Mitchell's favor. The Mariners capitalized on the man advantage, as Lyras ripped a shot from the top of the box for his first goal. On the ensuing face-off, sophomore Chris Joy scooped up the ground ball and raced in for a score to tie the game at 2-2.

Sophomore Aaron Feinberg gave the Mariners their first lead of the day at 4-3 with a man-up goal with 2:13 to play in the third quarter. Regis answered back quickly, however, with Costello tying the game with 1:52 to play to close the scoring in the stanza.

Chris Campbell and Costello each netted goals in the early stages of the fourth quarter to put Regis up 6-4. The Mariners cut the deficit to one on a goal by freshman Nicholas Gresio at the 10:58 mark, but both teams struggled offensively down the stretch. Regis killed off four penalties in the final 10 minutes of regulation to stay in front.

Regis had possession in its offensive end with a minute to go in the fourth before Brookbanks caused a turnover to give Mitchell possession. The Mariners moved the ball around the perimeter until Cook worked his way free for a right-handed shot from up top to tie the game with 16 ticks remaining.

Sophomore goalie Peter Eshenfelder made 12 saves to earn his second victory of the season. Regis goalie Breandan Crane was also solid in goal, making 12 of his game-high 17 saves in the second half.

Penalties played a huge role in the contest, as the teams were whistled for a combined 23 infractions. The Pride went 4-for-9 with the extra man while the Mariners chimed in at 3-for-10.

Mitchell returns to action at Husson College on Saturday, March 31 at 5 p.m.