POTSDAM, NY - Five unanswered goals in the final 13:11 of play lifted the Clarkson University Lacrosse team to a 12-9 victory over Union College at Hantz Field in the Golden Knights' Liberty League opener on Saturday afternoon.

 

After holding a 5-2 lead at the half, Clarkson found itself down 9-7 early in the fourth quarter. Junior Kyle Tilley (Hamilton, MA/Hamilton-Wehnham) completed a 5-1 run for the Dutchmen, to put the visitors up by two, with 13:48 left in regulation. Clarkson, however, rallied back with scores by five different players to pull out the win.

 

Junior Corey O'Connor (Sandwich, MA) started the Knights' comeback, scoring 37 seconds after Union's ninth goal. Sophomore Tom Ross (Adams, NY) tied the game with 8:31 remaining and classmate Greg Gibbons put the Green and Gold in the lead, at 10-9, off an assist from senior Bryan Jackson (Northport, NY) with 6:32 left. Jackson tallied a man-up goal, at 9:09, and sophomore Brian Hoey (Auburn, NY) closed out the game with the final goal with one minute left.

 

Clarkson (3-7, 1-0 Liberty League) held a 2-1 lead after the first quarter and made it 5-2 after the opening 30 minutes. Union (3-5, 0-2 Liberty) out scored the Knights 6-2 in the third stanza to hold an 8-7 advantage through 45 minutes of play.

 

Eric Wolery (Cincinnati, OH) finished with 15 saves, including six stops in the fourth quarter.

 

Junior Tom Simmons (Salisbury, CT/ Salisbury School) led Union with four goals.

 

Senior Rob Oram (New Canaan, CT/ New Canaan) made a season-high 15 stops in the Union goal.

 

Union is back in action in a 7 p.m. home game against Hartwick on Wednesday, April 11 at Frank Bailey Field.