MARIETTA, Ohio – The Allegheny men's lacrosse team went to overtime for the first time this season, prevailing with a late goal as they defeated Marietta 9-8 Saturday (March 18).
 
The Gators got on the board first when Nick Gralewski (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) scored early in the game. The Pioneers were quick to match the tally, tying it up at one. The score stayed that way until the closing minutes of the quarter when JP Rakis (Kensington, Md./Walter Johnson) put the Gators back in front off an assist by Aidan D'Amato (Tolland, Conn./Tolland).
 
The Pioneers tied the game early in the second quarter before A. D'Amato rattled off three straight goals. Pete Schellbach (New York City, N.Y./Salisbury School) assisted the bookends of the run while Gideon Sullivan (Getzville, N.Y./Cathedral (Ind.)) assisted on the middle goal. Rakis struck for a second time to extend the lead to 6-2. Marietta tallied the last goal of the half but the Gators owned a 6-3 advantage at halftime. 
 
After the Pioneers cut the lead to 6-4 early in the third, Rakis completed his hat trick off A. D'Amato's second assist to push the lead back up to three. Minutes later, Rakis struck again for his fourth goal of the game. Once again, Marietta answered with a goal as Allegheny led 8-5 heading into the final quarter.
 
Marietta narrowed the gap to just one goal going into the final minute. As time was expiring, the Pioneers scored the tying goal, sending the game to overtime.
 
The Gators won the opening faceoff in the extra session. A. D'Amato had the first chance at a game winner, but his shot was saved. The Pioneers cleared the ball and had the next opportunity, but goalie David Kratzenberg (Latrobe, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) dropped down to make the save on a low shot. The game then ended how it started, with Gralewski striking from 15-yards out to give the Gators the 9-8 overtime win.
 
Inside the Box

• A. D'Amato led the Gators with five points on three goals and an assist.
• Rakis netted four goals while also collecting three goundballs.
• Gralewski had two points on two goals while Schellbach had two points on two assists.
• Sullivan rounded out the Gator point scorers with an assist. He also led the team with five groundballs.
• Garrett Danielson (Kettering, Ohio/Kettering-Fairmont) had two caused turnovers and four groundballs while Ryan Mantione (East Northport, N.Y./John Glenn) also caused two turnovers while grabbing three groundballs.
• Cassady Bouthet (Vernon, Conn./Rockville) and Konrad Homiak (Hampstead, N.C./Topsail) had four groundballs apiece.
• Kratzenberg earned the win in net, making 11 stops.
• The Gators went 17-of-18 on clears. 

News and Notes

• The Gators are now 2-0 all-time against Marietta.

Up Next
The Gators return home Saturday (March 25) to face Medaille at 1 pm in nonconference action.