Mustangs over power men's lacrosse

John Bauer

The Silhouette

After a strong start to the season, it appears that McMaster's men's lacrosse team has come back to earth. The men opened the season 2-1 with wins over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and the Laurentian Voyageurs, but dropped to 2-3 this week after consecutive losses to Western and Laurentian.

After two games and two blowout losses against Western in this young season, it seems that the Mustangs simply have the Marauders' number. The 12-1 Friday onslaught could have been worse, as goaltender Max Yavitt faced thirty shots, compared to the Western goaltending duo's seven. Mac's lone goal came from Mitchell Iszukla, while Ryan McCrory led the way for Western with a four-goal outing.

With less than twenty-four hours and a trip to Sudbury to regroup before their next game, the Maroon were looking to quickly put the Western loss behind them against the Voyageurs, whom they had bested 9-8 last week. Unfortunately, after a heartbreaking 11-8 overtime loss, it seems that the teams are evenly matched, with home field advantage being the deciding factor.

Laurentian jumped out to an early lead with a goal by Phillip Romanet just under seven minutes into the game. Iszukla would respond on the power play, giving him two goals in two games. Romanet would score two quick power play goals to complete the first quarter hat trick before Marauders Mark Phillips and Derrick Hastings evened the score in the second quarter. The Voyageurs rounded out the scoring for the half with three late goals to take a 6-3 lead.

Mark Phillips would lead a third quarter McMaster attack, picking up two of three Marauder goals book-ending a lone Laurentian goal to move within one goal of the tie.

Early in the fourth quarter Justin Beatty and Phillips would temporarily put the Maroon ahead 8-7, before a late goal by Voyageur Matt Volpe sent the game to an extra period.

The offense that had come so easily for McMaster earlier in the game abandoned them as they failed to respond to three Laurentian overtime goals for an 11-8 final. Phillips and Iszukla led the offense for Mac with matching four point afternoon totals.

The coming week takes the Marauders to Guelph, Ont. whom they trail by one win in the standings. The men then get a full week break, returning home Oct. 2 to play Brock.