HOUGHTON, N.Y. (April 4, 2018) – The SUNY Delhi men's lacrosse team raced out to a 7-2 halftime lead at Houghton Wednesday evening. But like the gradual snowy, windy weather, things intensified in the second half, where the Highlanders scored eight goals over the final two quarters to come back to steal a 10-9 win from the Broncos. Delhi moved to 2-7 on the year, as Houghton went 1-7.
The game was tied at 1-1 after the first quarter, then the Broncos shifted gears to score five straight goals and six of the next seven to close the first half leading 7-2. When the halftime whistle sounded, the snow that covered Houghton's Burke Field was nothing more than a thin layer. By the end of the third quarter, the field was covered with a few inches of snow, coupled with swirling winds to create a snow-globe atmosphere. This change in weather came at a price for the Broncos, as the Highlanders began the third period with five straight scores to tie the game at 7-7. Brendan Scheeler's score with 1:43 to play in the quarter halted the rally to give Delhi an 8-7 lead after three.
Highlander Andrew Skahan tied the game up again on a goal with 12:44 remaining, before Brian Conti's second goal of the night gave the Broncos the one-goal lead once more with 9:58 to play. While Delhi's defense kept Houghton out of the goal for the next six minutes, Conti's score proved to be the Broncos' last point of the contest. Houghton's Quinn Hull netted the equalizer with 3:35 remaining, then Jonathan Mayer supplied the game-winner with 2:08 to go.
Ross Cange and Jeremy Leary were Delhi's leading scorers with three points; Cange had two goals and one assist, while Leary totaled one man-up goal and two assists. Conti and Talbert each had two goals, while Scheeler and Luke Anderson each netted a goal of their own. Goalie Eric Morse had 13 saves on the evening, with Houghton's Bryce Bellan totaling 11.
SUNY Delhi totaled 33 shots on the day, while Houghton finished with 38. The Broncos grabbed 39 ground balls, forced the Highlanders into 32 turnovers, and cleared 18-of-26 attempts. Delhi converted on 1-of-6 man-up chances to Houghton's 1-of-8. Midfield man Mitch Spaziani won seven faceoffs.
Coach Sam Miller's gang hits the road again on Saturday for a meeting at SUNY Maritime at 3:00 p.m.
