GEORGETOWN, TEXAS -- Junior Justin Gearig (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) scored four goals and assisted on another to help lead the Trine University men's lacrosse team to a 10-9 win against Southwestern (Texas) University in the season opener in Georgetown, Texas.
Senior Neil Orr (Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic) also had a multi-point game with a pair of goals to go along with one assist. Seven other players each recorded at least a point in the win.
Trine (1-0) scored four goals in the opening quarter, but it was Southwestern (2-2) who struck first with a score just 15 seconds in to grab the early lead. Just before the 10-minute mark of the period, the Pirates scored again with its second marker to increase the deficit to 2-0.
The Thunder then took over with a streak of four unanswered goals that began and ended with scoring plays by Gearig. The other two goals came off the sticks of junior Brent Farrugia (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) and Orr on a "man-up' opportunity as Trine led, 4-2, after the first quarter.
Southwestern ended the run near the midway point of the second quarter when the Pirates tallied a goal on a man-advantage to cut the Trine lead to, 4-3. Both teams added a pair of goals to their total in the period with the Pirates' second goal coming with 6:08 to play in the half which also tied the game at 4-4.
About a minute-and-a-half after the game-tying goal by Southwestern, Trine regained the lead when Orr struck for his second goal of the game to make it a 5-4 game. A little inside the two-minute mark, the Thunder took advantage of another man-up opportunity with a goal scored by junior Tyler Klima (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) that put Trine ahead by two goals at the break, 6-4.
The two teams went back-and-forth in the third period with Trine taking the edge in the goal scoring column, 3-2. Gearig scored two of the Thunder's goals on a man-up and a man-down scenario. The other goal was scored by sophomore Brandon Matuszczak (Hoffman Estates, Ill./William Fremd) on another man disadvantage as Trine increased its halftime lead to lead goals, 9-6, heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter began with back-to-back goals by Southwestern that narrowed the gap to 9-8. Trine got a little breathing room with a goal by senior Eric Peal (Imperial, Mo./Seckman) at the 8:12 mark to extend the margin back out to two goals, 10-8.
Southwestern got back to within a goal later in the period with a score with 3:30 to go in regulation. The Pirates would also have the final shot attempt looking for the possible game-tying goal, but the shot sailed high keeping the difference at a goal in favor of Trine for the 10-9 win.
Trine finished with 11 ground balls in the game with the duo of seniors Aaron Warner (League City, Texas/Clear Springs) and Max Harris (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Southwest) both having two apiece.
In net, junior Joseph Steigmeyer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Dwenger) played all 60 minutes and made 10 saves to get his first win of the season.
Trine will travel to Irving, Texas on Wednesday, Mar. 6 to take on the University of Dallas on Wednesday, Mar. 6. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. EST.
