Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/11/26
From Press Release
The Arcadia University men’s lacrosse team erased a four-goal deficit and secured a thrilling 14-13 double-overtime victory over DeSales in MAC Freedom action today on Senior Day.
The Knights improve to 9-4 overall and remain unbeaten in conference play at 3-0.
Gavin Lenart (Wilson) netted the game-winning goal in double overtime to complete his three-goal performance. Dylan Garber (Wilson) and Tristan Johnson also recorded hat tricks, while Joey Ewald added two goals. AJ Laibach, Sean Perkinson, and Quinn Finnegan (Penncrest) each contributed one goal in the win.
The teams were even in total shots at 48-48, while DeSales held a slight edge in shots on goal, 25-24. Arcadia excelled in the clearing game, going 29-for-30, while limiting the Bulldogs to 31-for-38. The Knights held advantages in ground balls (48-44) and faceoffs (20-10).
Colin Brockman went 14-of-23 at the faceoff X and collected a game-high 11 ground balls, while Darian Good was a perfect 6-for-6. Arcadia converted 1-of-3 extra-man opportunities, while DeSales went 4-of-6. In goal, Nate Hudgins (Easton) made 12 saves in the victory.
Colin Getz (Ridley) and Mark Winkler had three goals and an assist each for DeSales (5-8, 2-1) while Blake Finnegan (Parkland) added three goals and Seth Young (Southern Lehigh) had two goals and an assist.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DeSales opened the scoring on its first possession, but Arcadia quickly responded after forcing a turnover. Tristan Johnson scored his 30th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1.
The Bulldogs regained the lead midway through the first quarter, but Gavin Lenart answered with his first goal of the game off an assist from Sean Perkinson following another DeSales turnover.
With the score tied 2-2 after the first quarter, DeSales opened the second with four unanswered goals to take a 6-2 lead.
Arcadia responded late in the half, as Johnson caused a turnover that led to AJ Laibach’s 17th goal of the season, cutting the deficit in half.
In the final minute of the half, Joey Ewald caused a turnover and converted off an assist from Perkinson, sending the Knights into halftime trailing 6-4.
DeSales struck first in the second half, but Arcadia answered with Dylan Garber’s 10th goal of the season following a faceoff win.
The Bulldogs responded with two quick goals, but the Knights capitalized on a man-up opportunity. After consecutive shots from Johnson and Anthony Mangini (Newark Charter), Mangini recovered his rebound and assisted Perkinson to make it 9-6.
Arcadia closed the third quarter with three unanswered goals to tie the game at 9-9. Ewald scored off an assist from Garber, Lenart added his second of the day, and Johnson finished the run off a faceoff win by Brockman.
The Knights took their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter, as Johnson scored his third goal off an assist from Garber. DeSales responded with three consecutive goals over a four-minute stretch to regain a two-goal lead.
Out of a timeout, Quinn Finnegan cut the deficit to one off an assist from Garber.
Following the ensuing faceoff, Garber scored off an assist from Johnson to tie the game at 12-12 with just over seven minutes remaining.
DeSales regained the lead with a man-up goal with just over five minutes to play.
With under a minute remaining in regulation, Garber capitalized on a DeSales turnover to tie the game at 13-13.
With just over two seconds left in regulation, Arcadia was assessed a penalty, giving DeSales a man-up opportunity to begin overtime.
In the first overtime, both teams had scoring chances, but Hudgins made two key saves in the final seconds to keep the game alive.
In the second overtime, Arcadia won the opening faceoff and generated early chances before DeSales took possession. The Bulldogs threatened in transition, but Hudgins made a critical save and quickly initiated the outlet. He found Lenart streaking upfield, and Lenart buried the game-winner to secure the 14-13 victory.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Goals: Lenart (3), Garber (3), Johnson (3)
Assists: Garber (3), Perkinson (2), Johnson (1), Mangini (1), Brockman (1)
Points: Garber (6), Johnson (4), Perkinson (3), Lenart (3)
Shots: Johnson (11), Perkinson (7), Mangini (6)
Ground Balls: Brockman (11), Perkinson (6), Hudgins (4)
Caused Turnovers: Lenart (3), multiple players (1)
Saves: Hudgins (12)
