Michelle Berthiaume
Sports Editor
The Keene State College men’s lacrosse team dropped their first game of the season on Tuesday, March 26 to Bates College at the Owl Athletic Complex in Keene, N.H.
After opening the season with six straight wins, a hard fought game was expected with Bates College. Last season, the Owls fell to Bates in overtime.
Although Tuesday night’s match didn’t go into extra quarters, the Owls and Wildcats exchanged blows throughout the entire game.
In the first quarter, Keene State received two goals from KSC senior, J.T. Galloway and one goal from senior, Ian Hart. After one, the Owls led 3-2. But after two straight goals from Bates in the second quarter, the Wildcats took the lead, 5-3.
According to KeeneOwls.com, KSC senior midfielder Taylor Wicke chipped in a goal with three minutes left to play in the half, bringing the Owls back within one.
The second half didn’t start nearly as well as the first half went for the Owls.
Bates College scored three unanswered goals to take the lead, 8-4. J.T. Galloway chipped in his third goal of the game, with just under seven minutes left to play in the third.
With Keene State trailing 8-5 at the beginning of the fourth, they needed a surge from their frontline. A surge is exactly what they got with one goal coming from Taylor Wicke and two goals coming from KSC senior Tajh Russell. The seniors of the Owl squad proved their worth against Bates College, scoring all eight of Keene State’s goals.
After giving up the tenth goal of the game, the Owls simply could not climb back. They lost to Bates College, 10-8.
The Owls will open up their Little East Conference schedule against the University of Southern Maine on Saturday, March 30 at 4 p.m.
Michelle Berthiaume can be contacted at mberthiaume@keene-equinox.com