CHESTER, Pa. (Feb. 27, 2016) – In a seesaw battle that featured seven ties and multiple lead changes, the Widener University men's lacrosse team dropped its home opener against Swarthmore by an 8-7 score in overtime on Saturday afternoon at Leslie C. Quick Stadium.
 
The entire game was tightly contested, as the teams were deadlocked for over half of the contest and neither side led by more than a goal at any point during the afternoon. Swarthmore had itself a one-goal lead with under a minute remaining in regulation, but Widener senior captain Marc LaVine (Nashua, N.H.) found a hole in the Garnet defense and was able to net the equalizer with 24 seconds left to eventually force overtime.
 
With the teams playing for a sudden victory in the extra session, Widener won the opening faceoff and had the first opportunity to score. The ball went into the stick of the captain again, who  unleashed a shot that was saved by junior Cole Fox. Sophomore Patrick Richardson (Westville, N.J.) also had an opportunity to put the game away, but his shot at the 2:36 mark went wide.
 
After several possession changes, Swarthmore had the ball with time winding down and possibly the last chance to score in the frame. The Garnet cashed in on the opportunity, as Matt Johnson picked up the ball off a missed shot by leading scorer Sam Sakota that was saved by senior captain Tyler McClary (Galena, Ohio) and potted it in the net. The sophomore dove through a pile of players from both sides to give the Garnet their second straight win to start the season.
 
The teams traded goals for nearly the entire first half, beginning with a Sokota strike just 1:29 into the contest before junior Vince Marra (Morton, Pa.) answered on the other end a few minutes later. The hosts later took advantage of a man-up opportunity to tie the score at 3-all when LaVine found freshman Brady Franks (State College, Pa.), and freshman Anthony Brunetti (Mount Laurel, N.J.) followed with a rocket to put his team ahead for the first time at 4-3 with 5:56 left in the second quarter. Swarthmore, however, responded with two goals in a row to build a one-goal lead heading into the recess and never trailed the rest of the way.
 
LaVine and Sanchez each recorded three points on two goals and one assist to lead Widener, which outshot the visitors by a 47-23 margin while also boasting a 39-29 advantage in ground balls and winning 12 of the 19 faceoffs. Sophomore Anthony Paone (Warrington, Pa.) scooped up seven ground balls, while McClary made five stops between the pipes.
 
Sakota led Swarthmore (2-0) with three goals on four shot attempts. Johnson netted the team's final two goals of the contest, and Fox turned away 11 shots in the cage.
 
Widener (0-2) resumes action when it entertains Mary Washington at Leslie C. Quick Stadium on Saturday, March 5 at 1:00 p.m.