Men’s Lacrosse Comeback Falls Just Short at Alfred State, 8-7

ALFRED, New York— Matthew Bridges' seventh goal of the day with just under four minutes to play proved to be the game-winner giving Alfred State an 8-7 nonconference win over visiting MCLA earlier today. The win was the Pioneers' first of the season and improved their record to 1-4 while the Trailblazers fell to 1-1.

Bridges opened the scoring at the 6:18 mark of the first quarter and added another just nine seconds later to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage. Another tally by Bridges in the final minute of the quarter and his fourth of the game with 10:06 to play in the second quarter gave the Pioneers a seemingly comfortable 4-0 lead.

MCLA's Neal Brierley momentarily stopped the bleeding less than a minute later but another last-minute goal, this time by Alfred State's Griffen Doan with just five seconds left in the half, made it 5-1 at the break.

Just two and a half minutes into the third, unassisted goals by MCLA's Carson Lewis and Ty Roadcap cut the lead to 5-3.  However, Bridges' fifth and sixth markers would restore the four-goal Pioneer cushion before another Brierley goal with just :14 seconds left in the third kept the Trailblazers within striking distance headed in the fourth down 7-4.

MCLA rode the wave of momentum into the final quarter as Anthony Andolina scored two quick goals (assisted by Brierly and Josh Hemstock, respectively) to make it 7-6 with 12:31 left in regulation. Over eight and a half minutes later, down a man, and with the help of another Brierley assist, Andolina completed his second straight fourth quarter hattrick to tie the contest with 3:56 left.  

Unfortunately for the Trailblazers, Bridges answered with his seventh goal of the game just nine seconds later and the Pioneers would hold on for the 8-7 nonconference win.

Alfred State goalie Matthew Burns (W, 1-4) made 8 saves, facing 15 shots to earn the win while MCLA's Quentan Polkowski (L, 1-1) faced 22 shots making 14 saves in the loss.

The Pioneers carried the advantage in shots (52-28), ground balls (58-39) and turnovers (40-29) while the Trailblazers won the face-off battle (12-7).

Alfred State next travels to North Carolina to take on Brevard College on Monday while MCLA next hosts Salem State on Wednesday at 6pm.