Box Score

Phil Potter struck with 31.8 seconds remaining in regulation as the Albright College men's lacrosse team scored five of the game's seven fourth-quarter goals, winning a 12-11 home thriller over Lebanon Valley College on Wednesday.

Albright, and Potter (one assist) were forced to battle all day against the league's stingiest defense. But the Lion rookie finally broke free in the final minute, muscling off a defender from behind the goal and coming around to score the winner.

Freshmen Dan Foote and Bryan Smith were outstanding, logging six points each and combining four times. Foote finished with six goals while Smith scored once and totaled five assists.

Albright led 6-5 at halftime but found itself trailing 9-7 after a rough third quarter that appeared to leave them fading fast. The young Lions committed several killer turnovers and were whistled for four consecutive power plays, including two calls for some shoving immediately after LVC goals that both went against the hosts.

Yet again Albright's group of underclassmen showed composure under pressure in a gutsy fourth-quarter performance however. Goalie Andrew Torak made a crucial save up high two minutes in, and Foote tied it at 9-9 after Smith smartly found him in front of goal on a quick re-start following a whistle in LVC's zone.

Ryan Turner (two goals) gave Albright a 10-9 lead after somehow fighting off three defenders who had swarmed him in front of goal.

Freshman T.J. Holston hit the crossbar in the fourth quarter, but later gave Albright an 11-10 advantage on a huge shorthanded goal. Turner broke free to clear and passed to Potter, who fed Holston at the left doorstep for the tie-breaking strike.

Albright couldn't hold on however, as two midfielders got caught upfield, allowing the Dutchmen an odd-man rush and an easy goal for Alex Beard with 2:29 remaining. That set up Potter's heroics in the game's final minute.

Apart from Smith and Foote's lightning-fast combinations in transition, the Lions had to fight for every goal against a Lebanon Valley defense that included Andrew Kruter (6 CTs, 4 GBs) and Ryan Lanigan (2 CTs, 6 GBs). Smith gave Albright a 5-4 lead in the second after fighting off a trio of aggressive defensemen, similar to Turner's late tally.

The Red and White defense was forced to battle as hard as the attack to emerge victorious. Torak made eight saves and Mike Donohoe caused four turnovers while picking up six ground balls. Darian Meador added seven ground balls and won half his draws (13-of-26) against LVC's Scott Sutton, one of the conference's best faceoff men.

Malik Pedroso (seven goals, two assists) had nine points in a losing effort for Lebanon Valley. Goalie Mike Moll made 10 saves and picked up a rare assist, connecting with Pedroso in front of goal on a pass that traveled the length of the field.

Albright improves to 13-1, 3-0 as an improbable inaugural season continues. The Lions will travel to Lycoming on Saturday in first place, heading into the final three games of the regular season.