With its playoff hopes on the line, Connecticut rallied for a key 11-8 victory over Boston in Major League Lacrosse action Thursday night in Annapolis, Md.
Connecticut moved into a tie for third place with Boston at 2-2, while Philadelphia, a 12-11 winner over New York earlier in the day, sits a half game back at 2-3.
Boston and Connecticut each control their playoff destiny. The top four teams make the playoffs and wins for Boston (vs. Denver) and Connecticut (vs. Chesapeake) on Friday will secure the final playoff spots. Denver and Chesapeake have already clinched berths.
IN: @DenverOutlaws, @TheBayhawks
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OUT: @LizardsLacrosse
STILL ALIVE: @phillybarrage, @BostonCannons, @CtHammerheads
Philadelphia is done for the regular season, but holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Connecticut. Boston holds the head-to-head edge over Philadelphia.
Connecticut rode the hot goaltending of Sean Sconone to the big victory. Sconone, the 2019 MLL Goaltender of the Year, made 22 saves, allowing the Hammerheads offense time to get going. Connecticut scored just twice in the opening half, but Sconone made 15 first-half saves to keep Connecticut within shouting distance, trailing just 5-2 at halftime.
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— UMass Men's Lacrosse (@UMassMLacrosse) July 24, 2020
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Tied 6-6 entering the fourth quarter, Connecticut scored four of the first five goals of the quarter to take command. Ben Martin and Bradley Voigt each scored three for the Hammerheads and Martin’s goal early in the fourth quarter gave Connecticut its first lead of the game. Michael Kraus and Ryan McNamara each scored twice.
Kyle Jackson and Bryce Wasserman each scored twice for Boston and Nick Marrocco made 13 saves.
Earlier in the day, Philadelphia trailed by as many as four goals in the fourth quarter, but scored the final four goals of the game to beat New York 12-11 on Colin Minicus’ tally with 1:55 to play.
Jon Mazza spurred the Barrage comeback, scoring two goals with an assist in the fourth quarter. Tyson Gibson had a game-high three goals for Philadelphia and Ryan McSpayden and Brian Sunday joined Mazza with a pair of goals.
Alex Woodall won 20 of 27 faceoffs in the victory and Chris Madalon made 11 saves to earn win.
Nick Aponte and Connor O’Hara each scored three goals for New York, which finished the season with an 0-5 mark. Austin Kaut made 12 saves.