MIT Falls to Plymouth State in ECAC Semifinal Double-Overtime Thriller
May 14, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Plymouth State University notched the game-winning goal with 34 seconds remaining in the second overtime to lead the Panthers to a 7-6 win over MIT in an ECAC New England Men's Lacrosse Championship semifinal game on Saturday. Ryan Ballentine and Brennan Sherry each tallied a goal and two assists for the Engineers (7-7). Zach Brewer collected 14 saves in net while Patrick Shannon picked up a team-high four groundballs.
Plymouth State built a 2-0 advantage following goals at the 10:14 and 5:13 marks. MIT got on the board less than a minute later when Ballentine set up Tyler Sorba. The Engineers evened the contest with on a goal by Dylan Roden with Sherry earning the assist.
The Panthers broke the deadlock with a pair of goals in a span of 26 seconds early in the second stanza. MIT answered with four consecutive goals which resulted in a 6-4 lead at the break. Jonathan Stolmeier ignited the run with an unassisted tally, which was followed by another Sorba-Ballentine connection. Sherry recorded an unassisted strike and then found Ballentine for his first goal of the day.
Plymouth State cut its deficit in half (6-5) at 8:40 of the third quarter and then posted the equalizer on an extra-man opportunity four minutes later. The game became a defensive battle until the Panthers found the back of the net late in the second extra session.
