Ross Bowman recorded a save on the final shot in regulation and Dan Shields capitalized on a man advantage to score the game-winning goal with 13.3 seconds left in overtime as University of Mount Olive rallied from a four-goal second-half deficit for a 10-9 victory over Saint Leo in non-conference men's lacrosse Wednesday at Amon Field. The win extended Mount Olive's winning streak to five and avenged last season's loss at Saint Leo, which was ranked in the USILA Division II Top 15 earlier this month.
Mount Olive (7-1) trailed 8-4 midway through the third period before Matt Shields scored two goals during a 3-0 run to cut the margin to a single goal with 11:01 left in the fourth period. After Dylan Yonts scored for Saint Leo with 9:08 remaining, Stephen Bowlan answered two minutes later to again make it a one-goal game.
Nico Shewey, who scored the Trojans' first goal of the second half, took a pass from Dan Shields and scored from the left wing to even the score 9-9 with 2:49 left in regulation. The two teams each turned the ball over, giving Saint Leo a chance for the last shot. Ryan Burke shot from close range, but Bowman deflected the ball and time ran out in regulation before either team gained possession.
Saint Leo's Will Cothron, who won 17-of-22 face offs, won the opening face off in overtime. A Lions shot attempt hit the post and Bowman's save on a second attempt gave Mount Olive possession with 1:39 remaining.
Mount Olive nearly turned the ball over, but the Trojans were granted a timeout just before the near turnover. Immediately after Saint Leo goalkeeper Dave Moore made a save, the Lions were flagged for a one-minute illegal body check penalty, putting the Trojans a man up with 47 seconds left.
The Trojans again nearly lost the ball, but Spencer Gelinas' ground ball pickup with 18 seconds remaining kept the possession alive. Matt Shields drove behind the net and passed to Dan Shields, who put home the game winner from above the left post.
Saint Leo (5-3) trailed 2-1 after one period before Matt Obermeyer scored a pair of goals during a four-goal run to put the Lions ahead for the remainder of the half. Cameron Walsh's goal with 5:54 left ended the run, but Obermeyer scored again with 1:05 remaining to give the Lions a 6-3 halftime lead.
Mount Olive had not allowed a goal in the second period in its previous three games, but allowed only three goals in the second half. In their seven wins this season, the Trojans have not allowed an opponent to reach double figures. Mount Olive is 1-1 in overtime games this season.
Bowman, who recorded 18 saves two weeks ago to break his own school record, finished with 17 saves Wednesday. Matt Shields and Walsh led the Trojans offensively with three goals apiece, while Dan Shields recorded three assists. The game winner was Dan Shields' lone goal of the game.
Obermeyer led Saint Leo with three goals, all in the second period. Moore finished with seven saves.
Mount Olive entered Wednesday's contest among Others Receiving Votes for the second straight week in the USILA Top 15 Poll. Saint Leo was ranked No. 15 in the March 3 poll. The Trojans fell to the Lions 11-6 last year.
Mount Olive concludes its five-game homestand with a pair of games this weekend at Amon Field. The Trojans open Conference Carolinas play Saturday at 3 p.m. against Lees-McRae, then takes on Florida Tech Sunday at 2 p.m. in a non-conference match-up.