Point's Eight-Goal Comeback Stopped in Double OT by Webber International
WEST POINT, Ga. - Sam Shields' goal 3:22 into the second overtime halted a furious Point University comeback, as the Webber International University Warriors escaped River Bowl Stadium with a 13-12 double-overtime win on Saturday afternoon.
The Skyhawks trailed 12-4 early in the fourth quarter before unleashing eight goals to erase the deficit and force extra time. Malyke Sillers capped the rally, scoring with 18 seconds left in regulation to knot the score at 12-12.
Sillers powered the Point offense with five strikes on seven shots on goal, repeatedly punishing Webber in the fourth quarter as the Skyhawks chipped away at what had seemed to be an insurmountable deficit. Shaun McLaughlin added three goals and two assists, finishing a perfect 7-for-7 on shots on goal as he helped jump-start the Point attack in the third and fourth quarters. Together, Sillers and McLaughlin accounted for eight of the Skyhawks' 12 goals and played central roles in the late-game push.
The Warriors built a 3-1 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 7-3 by halftime with a balanced attack and strong work at the faceoff X. Webber finished with a 21-8 edge in faceoffs and a 38-21 advantage in ground balls, key possession stats that helped the visitors create a 12-4 cushion heading to the final period. Point, which was outshot 33-28 overall but put 22 shots on Warriors goalie Liam Murphy, relied on efficiency to climb back into the contest.
Point's defensive and goalkeeping effort tightened as the game wore on, holding Webber to just one goal in the third quarter and one in the fourth outside of man-up and transition opportunities. Point finished with eight saves from Whitman Prewitt and forced 20 Webber turnovers, compared with 18 of its own, helping tilt momentum late.
Thursday, March 19 is the next game on the schedule for the Skyhawks lacrosse team. They'll play their third straight at River Bowl Stadium against University of the Cumberlands at 1:00pm.