UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men’s lacrosse dropped a second-straight conference game, this time falling to Michigan, 9-8, at Panzer Stadium. The visiting team’s score in the closing minute of the fourth quarter proved to be the difference in the afternoon. PSU dropped to 6-5 (2-2 B1G) with the result, while Michigan improved to 5-7 (2-2 B1G). Turnovers were the bane of the Nittany Lions, who committed 26 compared to the Wolverines’ 18.
Penn State’s attack was led by redshirt senior Luke Walstrum, who posted ta pain of goals and an assist for three points. Redshirt senior Michael Faraone also tallied three points, scoring once and dishing two assists. Sophomore Hunter Aquino returned to action today after being sidelined with injury since the game against Yale. He scored twice on the afternoon. Redshirt sophomore Liam Matthews and true sophomore Chase Robertson rounded out the multi-point scorers, posting a goal and an assist each.
Defensively, the Nittany Lions tended to hold strong. Seniors Jon King and Will Costin, along with sophomore Lucca DiBartolomeo and redshirt sophomore Patrick Keenan, each tallied two caused turnovers. Also on the defensive end, junior Brendan Leary scooped four groundballs. At the faceoff, junior Colby Baldwin had a near-perfect day, winning eight of his nine pulls, with his only loss coming on a violation. Balwin vacuumed a team-high five groundballs. Sophomore Reid Gills followed, winning eight of 11 draws and scooping four groundballs. Freshman netminder Preston Hawkins made seven saves.
FIRST QUARTER – 3-1, Michigan
- Hunter Aquino scored the first goal of the game at 11:47, giving the Nittany Lions an early lead.
- The Wolverines tied things up following a failed clear and turnover by Penn State.
- Michigan went on to take the lead at 5:24 after another Blue and White turnover. And tacked on one more before the end of the quarter for a two-goal lead after the first frame.
SECOND QUARTER – 5-2, Michigan
- Nittany Lion Liam Matthews shrunk Michigan’s lead to one, scoring just over a minute and thirty seconds into the second. To end the 13-minute-long PSU scoring drought.
- The Wolverines countered with two goals inside the eight-minute mark to boost the visitor’s lead out to three at the break.
THIRD QUARTER – 5-4, Michigan
- A scoreless third for the Wolverines saw the Maize and Blue on what went on to be longer than a 23-minute scoreless stretch.
- The Nittany Lions scored their first goal since the beginning of the second quarter to break their drought at the 1:58 mark when Jon King found the net in transition.
- Shortly after, Michigan received two penalties, putting the Blue & White on a two-man advantage. Michael Faraone capitalized on the EMO, putting another in the back of the net at 1:01, sending Penn State into the final quarter down by one.
FOURTH QUARTER – 9-8, Michigan
- Luke Walstrum quickly tied up the game, scoring in just 35 seconds.
- Seconds later Michigan responded with its sixth goal of the game to retake the lead.
- PSU answered with three straight ticks to take an 8-6 advantage with over nine minutes to go.
- The Wolverines closed the two-score gap at 6:10, getting their seventh of the day. After more minutes of scoreless action, The Wolverines tied up the game with 1:43 left. PSU won the ensuing faceoff and looked to have a chance to draw up the game winner, but the single shot got off by Luke Walstrum missed cage, sending the visitors on the attack.
- Michigan let the clock tick before going on to get its final goal of the game, securing the win with 13 seconds left in the contest.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The 2,008 fans in attendance marks the tenth highest attended game in Panzer Stadium history.
- Penn State is now 1-3 in unranked matchups, and 5-2 against ranked foes.
UP NEXT
Penn State will look to close out the regular season on a high note on Friday night when the team travels to Piscataway, New Jersy to faceoff against No. 19 Rutgers. Faceoff is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Visit GoPSUSports.com for more information on Penn State men’s lacrosse. Fans can keep up to date with the Nittany Lion men’s lacrosse team on X and Instagram @PennStateMLAX, in addition to the team’s Facebook page at /PennStateMensLacrosse.