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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Kevin Hack vs. SUNY Brockport
Monica McKie
Kevin Hack, who tallied a hat trick, scored his fourth career game-winning goal in the overtime victory.
15
SUNY Brockport BPORT 4-2
16
Winner John Carroll JCUM 6-0
SUNY Brockport BPORT
4-2
15
Final
16
John Carroll JCUM
6-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 OT F
SUNY Brockport BPORT 6 3 3 3 0 15
John Carroll JCUM 3 5 3 4 1 16

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | | Erica Esper, Staff Writer

Men's Lacrosse Sneaks Past Brockport in Overtime Win

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Coming off a win over nationally-ranked Ohio Wesleyan last Saturday, the John Carroll men's lacrosse team faced some adversity against SUNY Brockport on a rainy and windy day to keep their undefeated record intact.

After the Blue Streaks gave up three straight goals to the Golden Eagles at the end of the fourth to force overtime, Kevin Hack stepped up big as he scored the game-winning goal on a Morgan Morrell assist with 1:33 left in the extra period and survive a scare with a 16-15 victory.

"We knew we were getting the ball back there after Brockport had a good possession," Hack said, who scored three goals in the win.  "We had confidence in the defense and we relaxed, even when our play we drew up didn't work.  We had to stay grounded and dig deep, and we did just that."

JCU, who had not played in an overtime game since 2019 when they defeated Hope in the NCAA Tournament, found a way to win a game that totaled seven ties and seven lead changes.

"You have to dig deep in those games, especially in overtime," Blue Streak head coach Joe Rautenstrauch said.  "We got punched in the mouth a bit in the game, but we battled back and got the job done."

The contest got off to a back and forth start, with Brockport scoring first before John Carroll's Morrell and Matt Berdysiak found the back of the net to take a 2-1 lead.

However, the Golden Eagles gained some momentum as they rattled off four straight goals and took a 5-2 advantage with 4:50 left in the opening quarter.

Both teams then exchanged goals as Brockport ended the period up 6-3.

JCU and Brockport each scored three times to begin the second as the Golden Eagles continued to hold their lead, 9-6.

Jared Gorenflo then proceeded to find the twine twice in a row, once on a man-up opportunity, to come back and make it a 9-8 game at the half.

Gorenflo, who tallied a career-high five goals in the game, stepped up big for the Blue Streaks all game.

"He shot the lights out and was our lifesaver today," Rautenstrauch said.   "He has brought it every day since he got on campus and has kept his nose to the grindstone.  It's good to see his hard work and dedication to the program pay off."

John Carroll came out of the locker room hot as Cullen Zarek knotted the game up with an assist from Brendan Whitty and just 25 seconds later, Berdysiak added another goal to give the Blue Streaks their first lead of the game, 10-9.

Brockport answered with two goals, but Gorenflo tied it up at 11-11 with just over a minute left in the period.

The Golden Eagles then got a goal from Patrick Sheridan on a nifty scoop into the net with only two seconds left in the third to put Brockport ahead 12-11 as the period ended.

JCU then took control in the fourth with a goal from Morrell to tie it at 12-12.  Gorenflo scored his fifth goal less than three minutes later as the Blue Streaks regained the lead, 13-12.

John Carroll continued to pile up goals as Berdysiak scored two in a row to take a 15-12 advantage with 5:45 remaining.

Brockport responded with a bang as Jhovanny Olivares found twine with 2:59 left and with 27 seconds to play to chip away at the Blue Streak lead, 15-14.

Then, with seven seconds left in regulation, Brockport's Carson Collucci scored to tie the game up at 15-15 to force overtime.

The Blue Streak defense prevailed in the extra period as they did not allow a Golden Eagle shot while Olivares turned the ball over for Brockport to give JCU possession on the Hack goal.

"You try to reset after giving up those goals at the end," Rautenstrach said.  "In overtime it doesn't matter how good or bad you play in regulation.  It's all about finding guys who can step up and we definitely got it done today with our older group of guys."

Rocco Santillo scored four times to lead Brockport while Olivares notched a hat trick.  Berdysiak also scored four and Whitty had five assists for JCU.

Both teams struggled in the turnover department as the Golden Eagles and Blue Streaks each tallied 20 or more while the Golden Eagles outshot the Blue Streaks 37-31.

John Carroll will begin a three game road trip with a contest against nationally-ranked Denison on Wednesday, March 23 at 7:00pm.

"We play every game like we have a target on our back," Gorenflo said.  "Especially against ranked competition, we have to play with a chip on our shoulder and not let anything up."
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