For the second time in as many games, the Florida State Men’s Lacrosse team used a fourth quarter run to earn a comeback win on a muddy field away from home. The Auburn Tigers led 5-4 entering the final quarter, but the Seminoles were able to outscore the Tigers 3-0 during the final quarter for a 7-5 win. The victory moved the Seminoles to 3-0 on the young season. The game was tied after the first quarter (2-2), and at the half (3-3). Auburn’s Michael Thilmany won the game’s first six faceoffs, including all 5 from the first half. The Tigers used a 2-1 third quarter to take a one-goal lead into the final fifteen minutes. With the help of strong wing play, Florida State’s Lance Dunning was able to win the game’s final seven faceoffs, including all four faceoffs in the fourth quarter. The additional possessions proved to be vital for the Seminole comeback. Cory Noonan (2g, 1a) scored to tie the game at five, and the Seminoles took the lead on a goal from Patrick Haley (3g). Haley scored again with just over two minutes to go on a feed from Grover Light (1a) to close out the game. "We didn’t start out playing well at all," said Haley, "but we got some things going at the end, and that’s one of the signs of a good team." Seminole faceoff specialist Lance Dunning echoed Haley’s comments. "Auburn really played well all game," he said, "we didn’t play well early, but it was good to see that we could overcome our problems and get it together when it mattered." Dunning also credited the Seminole defense and goalie Stephen Heiman (20 saves) for the victory. "The defense saved us. It seemed like the whole game was played in our defensive end, and our guys really worked hard to bail us out today." "This was a hard fought game by both teams," said Florida State Head Coach Bill Harkins, "and Auburn has really come a long way." Harkins thinks the close contests early this year are an indicator that the other teams in Southeastern Lacrosse Conference have elevated themselves this year. "I’m impressed at how the SELC as a whole has improved so much this year," he said, "and it’s going to become one of the strongest leagues in the nation." The Seminoles return to action this Friday night at 7 p.m. when they host Wake Forest at FSU’s Harkins Field. For more information on Florida State lacrosse, please visit FSULacrosse.com ** GAME SUMMARY ** SCORING BY QUARTER FSU: 2 – 1 – 1 – 3 = 7 AUB: 2 – 1 – 2 – 0 = 5 GOALS FSU: P Haley-3, Noonan-2, Matherly-1, Geppert-1 AUB: Hoffman-2, Bohlman-1, Fanning-1, Berry-1 ASSISTS FSU: Noonan-1, Light-1, Lombard-1, Campbell-1, Lee-1 AUB: Schultz-1, Kemeys-1 SHOTS BY QUARTER FSU: 8 – 10 – 6 – 10 = 34 AUB: 10 – 11 – 8 – 3 = 32 GROUND BALLS BY QUARTER FSU: 10 – 7 – 14 – 11 = 42 AUB: 8 – 5 – 9 – 7 = 29 FACEOFFS (WON-TOTAL) FSU: 7-13 (Team) Dunning 7 – 11 Lombard 0 – 2 AUB: 6 – 13 (Team) Thilmany 6 – 13
