Box Score
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – Otterbein University scored three-straight goals to begin the game, but ultimately saw host Colorado College fight back and escape with an 8-7 win Friday afternoon in men's lacrosse action.
The contest marks the second-straight outing in which the Cardinals (3-2) have started fast but surrendered the early lead, as Wittenberg erased a 4-1 Otterbein lead back on Tuesday.
Otterbein sophomore Robbie Guliano netted two-straight goals to begin the scoring on Friday afternoon, with senior Mikey O'Neal chipping in another score to push the initial lead to 3-0.
Another goal from O'Neal gave the Tan and Cardinal a 4-2 lead early in the second quarter before the team eventually settled for a 4-3 lead entering the break.
The Tigers kicked into gear during the third frame, out-scoring Otterbein 3-1 to take its first lead of the game. Included in the period was the first goal of the season, and just the third of his career, for Cardinal defenseman Trevor Kujawski.
Colorado College bumped its advantage to three early in the second half, but the Cardinals stayed put and responded with back-to-back goals from senior Pat Teynor and Guiliano to claw back within one, 8-7, by the 9:37 mark of the fourth.
Otterbein won the ensuing faceoff and had a few quick chances to draw even, but three-straight shots sailed either high or wide as the Tigers regained possession. The Cardinals would take possession just once more throughout the game, but would come up empty as the hosts survived.
The hat trick for Guliano marks the second-best offensive outing of his young career, coming in behind last year's five-goal performance against Wilmington College.
The Tigers finished with a 50-29 shot advantage as Otterbein turned the ball over a season-high 20 times. Otterbein goalie James Gundling continued his strong play, setting a new season-high with 19 saves in the cage.
The Cardinals will play an exhibition scrimmage against Division II Adams State University before returning to Ohio, where they will resume their schedule with a 4 p.m. road game at Kenyon on Wednesday.
