FROSTBURG, Md. – A slow start coming out of the halftime locker room gave host Frostburg State just enough separation to stave off the Ursinus College men's lacrosse team, 9-8, in a nip-and-tuck and snowy season opener on Saturday.
Sophomore Bobby McClure netted three goals for the Bears, including the game-tying tally with 5:48 remaining in the fourth quarter. But the Bobcats grabbed the lead back with 3:23 remaining and survived a late flurry that included four shots – one of which clanged off the post – to hand Ursinus its first loss in its last nine openers.
Ursinus got off to a fast start as McClure and junior Peter DeSimone had back-to-back goals in the first six minutes and change. Jason Clinton answered for Frostburg State, but McClure finished a feed from freshman Aiden Baltz to give the rookie his first collegiate point and deliver the Bears a 3-1 advantage. Clinton pulled another one back in the final minute of the first frame.
Sophomore Evan Scott made it 4-3 in favor of Ursinus with his second career goal, and classmate Reagan Ketchum's blast with 1:16 to play sent the visitors into the break with a slim 5-4 edge.
The Bobcats, however, came out firing after halftime, netting three unanswered goals to snatch a two-goal upper hand in the first six minutes of the third quarter. DeSimone's second of the day, an unassisted marker with 5:36 showing on the clock, got Ursinus back within 7-6 heading into the final 15 minutes.
Clinton's fourth goal gave the hosts an 8-6 lead with 12:56 to go, but the Bears weren't done. Senior Gerard Brown's first goal of the season trimmed the deficit in half, and McClure pulled Ursinus level with his third of the day.
Jimmy Lucas' tally made it 9-8 for the Bobcats, who had to survive a late salvo by the Bears. Senior Lou Harrison hit the post with 2:11 to play, and classmate Ian Desenberg had his potential game-tying shot stopped by Jack Marks.
Marks had a strong day between the pipes, stopping 13 of the 21 shots he faced to help Frostburg State hang on.
Baltz enjoyed a solid debut at the faceoff x for the Bears, winning 11 of 19 and securing a team-high five ground balls in addition to his assist. Junior Nick Kirk made 10 saves in net.
Ursinus held a 38-32 advantage in shots, won 11 of 19 faceoffs, and forced four turnovers on clears, but the Bears failed to capitalize on any of their five man-up opportunities.
The men's lacrosse team entertains Mary Washington in its home opener on Saturday, February 24.