University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
8-3, 4-0SoCon
Furman
2-8, 2-2SoCon
Spiders Rally Back For 6-5 Triple Overtime Win At Furman
04/09/2016 | Men's Lacrosse
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Champions don't panic when their backs are against the walls, their composure shines through and they find ways to win.
That's exactly what the University of Richmond men's lacrosse team did on Saturday afternoon, scoring three goals in the final two minutes, two in the final four, to force overtime and eventually win a thriller, 6-5, in triple overtime at Furman, to improve to a perfect 4-0 mark in league play.
“We were both lucky to get today's win and proud of our guys for pulling it out in the end,” Head Coach Dan Chemotti said. “Lucky, because Furman was disciplined and played exceptionally hard for the entire game. Their effort today was inspiring. I'm proud because with under four minutes left down to goals, our guys made the plays they need to make in order to tie it up.”
Senior Alex Hatem scored the final two goals for Richmond (8-3, 4-0 SoCon), the game tying with just over two minutes to play and the game-winner with less than two minutes to play in the third overtime. Freshman Teddy Hatfield had two goals as well, in addition to a two-point day from sophomore Eric Haehl.
“Our defense has been the backbone of this team all season long. They gave us the opportunity to get back in this one,” Hatem said. “Things weren't falling for us offensively in the beginning, but we kept to the game plan and were able to pull off a much needed win.”
Richmond's defense was once again phenomenal, holding the Paladins to just five goals and forcing 14 turnovers, including three-plus caused turnovers from all three starting defenders, led by four from senior Tom Monzo. Junior goalie Henry Buonagurio registered a career high 13 saves in just his third career start.
“We knew going into the game it was going to be a dogfight. On the defensive end, it took a total team effort to allow Bongo [Buonagurio] to make the key saves he did throughout the game. The coaches prepared us for the fourth quarter/overtime comeback and everyone played their part to make it happen. It was a total team effort,” junior midfielder Michael Burns said.
It was a defensive struggle from the jump with both teams locking down until Haehl got loose and found the back of the net with under five minutes to play in the first quarter.
Furman answered in the second, unleashing 13 shots, two of which found the back of the net in the first five minutes of the stanza to give the Paladins a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Austin Brown tied the game with under two minutes to play in the first half as the teams headed to the break at 2-2.
Furman came out strong in the second half, scoring three unanswered, the final one coming with 13:07 to play in regulation to give the Paladins a 5-2 advantage.
With 10 minutes left to play, Hatfield got loose and found the back of the net to make it 5-3.
It was a two-goal deficit with under four minutes to play, but the Spiders held strong with a goal from Hatfield with 3:18 to play from Jean-Luc Chetner. Chetner played point once again just over a minute later to set up Hatem for the game-tying goal with just over two minutes to play to send the game into overtime.
Defenses would dominate the extra periods, with the two teams combining for just six shots total in the first two overtimes.
As time ticked away in the third overtime, Richmond got a fastbreak opportunity that Hatem wasn't going to let get away.
“Dean [Roseman] did a good job of getting to the midfield line and giving us a fast break opportunity. I was looking to pass it off, but no one stepped up to play me and the man trailing over played me a bit behind. I was able to get my hands free from about 12 yards out and put it off stick side.”
Richmond's game-winner sent the Spiders, who played without all-conference selections Benny Pugh and Mitch Goldberg, to their second straight 4-0 start in conference play.
“We learned a lot about our team today and we'll use that to continue to improve as we move forward,” Chemotti said.
The Spiders are back in action next Saturday when they host Bellarmine in another critical SoCon matchup. Game time at Robins Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.
