Nationally ninth-ranked University of Mount Olive scored a goal in the final minute, but the rally came up short as the Trojans suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Saint Leo University 8-7 in non-conference men's lacrosse Wednesday at Saint Leo, Fla. Brett Kingston scored two goals for the Trojans, while Ryan Morris shared game-high honors with six ground balls.
Mount Olive (4-1) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first six minutes of the contest. Jacob Ball opened the scoring with a short-handed goal, followed by goals by Luke Dalman and Alex Tindall. Saint Leo (2-1) came back with three goals in the final four minutes of the first period and added two more goals in the second period to take a 5-3 halftime lead.
The Trojans rallied to tie the contest in the third period on goals by Stephen Bowlan and Kingston. Saint Leo took the lead for good on a goal by Jake Gilmour with 4:18 remaining in the period and Josh Kaufling added a goal for the Lions with 1:52 remaining. Kingston scored for Mount Olive with one second left to pull the Trojans within 7-6 entering the fourth period.
Saint Leo built the lead to 8-6 five minutes into the final period on Jay Calcagno's second goal of the contest. Mount Olive was held scoreless until Matt Shields scored with 35 seconds left to make it a one goal game again. Mount Olive had an opportunity to tie the game with nine seconds left, but a Trojan shot was blocked. Saint Leo regained possession and ran out the clock for the win.
Trojan goalkeeper Ross Bowman recorded 15 saves on 36 Saint Leo shots.
Mount Olive heads north for the final stop of its spring break trip as the Trojans travel to Finksburg, Md., for a neutral-site contest against Southern New Hampshire. Game time is 11 a.m.