By: Kevin Clancy, NCAA Writer Boston University
It was a frigid day at the Historic Nickerson Field in Boston, with the fans all bundled up to watch their team take on Navy. Five overtime saves by junior Christian Carson-Banister and freshman James Burr’s game-winner lifted the Boston University men’s lacrosse team to a 10-9, double-overtime victory against No. 16 Navy, defeating the highest-ranked opponent in program history in the Patriot League opener on Nickerson Field Saturday afternoon.
Navy controlled the game in the first quarter with seven Terrier’s turnovers but heroic defense and four saves by Boston’s star goalie Christian Carson-Banister, the Terriers kept the score 3-2 at the quarter ending buzzer.
The lead would change several times ultimately to Boston’s favor until the fourth quarter when Navy scored four times to take the lead 9-7 with less than two minutes to go. Two Navy turnovers (one unforced) gave the Terriers their opportunity and they tied it up with 40 seconds in regulation.
Navy struck the crossbar in the first overtime and it had everyone gasping for air on this 39 degree day. No one left the stadium as the tension increased even though their blood flow was reduced by the cold wind off the Charles River nearby. Boston struck the final blow towards the end of the second overtime with a feed from freshman Brendan Homire to James Burr to end the battle.
Prior to heading over to the game Saturday, I was invited to stop by T’s pub near the University to meet the some of the Naval Academy Parents. It was crowded and loud but the talk was about the pride of having children at the Naval Academy and playing lacrosse. One parent had two sons playing, one long stick midfielder and one attack. Separated by 13 months, both wanted to play lacrosse for Navy and in today’s game, Casey Rees scored first and his brother Matt Rees scored Navy’s second goal. Casey went on to have a hat trick for the day.
Face-offs were big as always but Navy’s Joe Varello and Boston’s Sam Tallow battled at one face-off for what seemed like minutes pushing and circling looking for the advantage. This was a Sumo match which ultimately went in Navy’s favor.
Neither team was able to score throughout the first overtime despite strong offensive efforts on both ends. The Terriers controlled the opening faceoff and recorded two shots before Navy took over and got off four attempts, three of which were saved by Carson-Banister.
With 1:14 remaining in the second overtime period, after Carson-Banister was tested twice more, Burr found the back of the net off of a feed from Homire at X to end the game.
Everything was hard fought today but Navy loses it’s second two overtime contest to the soon to be higher ranked rising star Boston Terriers who go to 4-1 (1-0 Patriots) for the season. Final Score Double OT: Boston 10—Navy 9.
BU is back in action on Saturday, March 5 when the Terriers head to Canisius for a 1 p.m. game in Buffalo, N.Y.
Kevin Clancy, NCAA Writer Boston University
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