LANCASTER, Pa. – On the heels of another series of record-breaking feats, Ursinus College senior Peter DeSimone was named the Centennial Conference men's lacrosse player of the week.
DeSimone established a new single-game scoring mark with seven goals and assisted on the game-winning strike by junior Sam Mutz in overtime as the 10th-ranled Bears overturned a five-goal deficit in the second half for a stunning 16-15 victory at No. 15 Franklin & Marshall on Saturday. Matching a career high with eight points, the senior captain became the all-time leader in that category with 179.
Six different players in program history had previously netted six goals in a single game, including two such efforts by junior Bobby McClure this season. But none had eclipsed that milestone until the weekend, when DeSimone went off to keep the Bears' hopes of garnering the top overall seed for the CC playoffs intact.
DeSimone scored the first two goals of the game for Ursinus, which fell behind 5-0 in the first quarter and was in danger of being run out of the game until he steadied the ship. The left-hander netted his record-setting marker with just over two minutes remaining, pulling the Bears within one and allowing sophomore Hakan Atillasoy to tie it with 38 ticks on the clock.
Already on the man advantage to start overtime, the Bears patiently passed around the perimeter before DeSimone found Mutz open in front of the crease for a quick shot into the back of the cage, setting off a wild celebration on the field at Shadek Stadium.
DeSimone is enjoying a sensational senior campaign, ranking seventh in the conference in goals (37) and points (56).