ARLINGTON, VA – The York College men's lacrosse team posted a 14-12 come-from-behind Capital Athletic Conference victory over Marymount Wednesday evening in an under-the-lights contest. The win pushes the Spartans' 2010 record to 5-5, including a 2-0 mark in league play, while the Saints drop to 3-7 and 0-2 in the conference.

The Spartans were blitzed early as Marymount garnered an 8-3 leading after the first 30 minutes of play. A 5-1 second quarter provided the Saints' five-goal advantage at the halftime break.

Head Coach Jim Griffin must have had an inspiring halftime speech, as the Green and White opened the second half on a torrid run. The Spartans notched the first five goals, and a total of seven in the third quarter to come all the way back tying the game at 10-10 by the end of the frame. B.J. Blaker (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) began the onslaught just 40 seconds into the half as Ryan McNicholas (Fallston, Md./Fallston) would score three times in that turn-around third quarter.

Despite their lengthy spurt, the Spartans fell behind once again in the fourth as Chris Wascak and Drew Phillips registered goals for the Saints. Courtesy of those two scores, Marymount secured a 12-10 lead with 8:42 remaining.

In familiar territory, the Spartans fought back yet again. As he did in York's tremendous third quarter, Blaker started the come-back with an unassisted tally with only 7:40 left to play.

McNicholas followed Blaker's effort with back-to-back scores, his second coming just 55 ticks after his first, to give York their first and only lead of the game with 6:01 remaining.

McNicholas then helped the Spartans notch an insurance goal as he assisted on Brendan McLaughlin's (Brookeville, Md./Good Counsel) score, the final of the game, with just 3:14 left on the clock. McLaughlin's second goal of the season solidified the Spartan victory as the final three minutes would go quietly, giving York their 14-12 triumph.

For the game, the Spartans outshot Marymount 43-34, including 24-14 in the second half.  York won 17-of-29 faceoffs while only turning the ball over 11 times to Marymount's 14.

McNicholas notched a game-high five scores, plus a pair of assists, as he increases his season total to 30 goals. Junior Josh Gamble (Easton, Md./Easton) registered three tallies of his own, while also adding an assist, as he is currently tied with McNicholas for the team lead in goals. Spartan freshman Daniel Schuck (Leonardtown, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) won 13-of-22 faceoffs while Zach Scherr (Reisterstown, Md./Franklin) won 3-of-6 and scored his first goal of the season while recording a game-best 10 ground balls. Adam Cooper (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) had a solid all-around contest as he collected six ground balls, scored once, assisted on another goal, and caused a Saint turnover. Goalkeeper Chris Collins (Westminster, Md./Westminster) made 13 stops for the Spartans in the victory.

Marymount's Phillips led the Saints with four goals while Wascak added a pair of tallies. Joe Rafferty posted a 12-for-26 performance in faceoffs while picking up eight ground balls. Ross Fernandez suffers the loss in the Saint goal despite making 16 saves for the home squad.

The Spartans will look to remain undefeated in CAC play when they host Mary Washington on Saturday in a 1:00 p.m. tilt from York's Kinsley's Field.

GAME BOX

Adam Cooper photo courtesy of Zach Clabaugh - www.sharpedgephoto.smugmug.com