University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Rallies Late in 4th Quarter Against Harvard For Win - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Miles Thompson scored the game-winning goal with one minute and 27 seconds remaining as UAlbany ended a four-game skid in a 12-11 come-from-behind victory over Harvard on Saturday, April 2 at John Fallon Field. The Crimson were No. 20 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media poll and receiving votes in the USILA coaches' rankings.

Harvard (6-3) reversed a 9-8 deficit early in the final period on back-to-back goals by Daniel Eipp. The freshman midfielder connected from the right of the crease off a Dean Gibbons' pass from behind the cage. The pair combined again one minute and seven seconds later for the go-ahead goal. Eipp converted a spinning underhanded shot from in front of the crease.

UAlbany (4-5) drew even at 10 apiece as freshman midfielder Ryan Feuerstein tallied his first goal as a collegian on a blast from the left side. The Crimson went back in front 37 seconds later when Peter Schwartz found Jack Doyle streaking in the middle of the zone. Doyle sent a shot low into the right corner.

The Great Danes, who were coming off a one-goal loss to Hartford three days ago, were able to get the equalizer with 2:14 to play. Brian Caufield drove between two defenders at the top of the zone and passed off to his left to Miles Thompson, who delivered a sidearm shot into the net. Caufield finished with a season-high five points on one goal and four assists.

After the Crimson won the following face-off, long-stick midfielder Mike Woods dislodged the ball from Harvard midfielder Terry White and scooped up the ground ball. The turnover led to a transition play where Miles Thompson spun to his right shoulder and buried a low shot for a 12-11 lead. The Great Danes were able to maintain possession until Harvard defenseman Daniel DiMaria forced a turnover that led to Ryan Stevens' shot that wide to the left of the goal with five seconds remaining.

"It's more than I can explain," said UAlbany coach Scott Marr about his team's victory. "We have played well, but not well enough in our recent games. Miles (Thompson) had two huge goals and Brian Caulfield took over when needed. It was a great effort."

The teams played to a 7-7 halftime tie in a contest that went up and down the field. Freshman Ty Thompson, Miles' cousin, had all his career-high four goals in the half, while Harvard's Gibbons had a pair of first-quarter tallies. The Crimson grabbed a 7-6 lead when Jeff Cohen scored an extra-man goal. The Great Danes kept pace as Caufield found the cage from right of the crease with 8.6 seconds left in the period.

The Crimson, who had won five of their last six entering the contest, evened the score at eight apiece midway through the third quarter. After a failed clearing attempt, Stevens drove around a short-stick defender and drilled a bounced shot into the left side. UAlbany regained the lead, 9-8, when Miles Thompson shot over his right shoulder with his back to cage from right of the crease. The freshman finished with a career-best four goals, all in the second half.

"This will get our confidence back up," said Caufield, who is just returning to form after missing a couple of games due to injury. "They controlled the ball, but we were able to make the best of our opportunities. But throughout we were still going for the ball and attacking the goal."

Eipp finished with three goals, while Gibbons scored twice and handed out two assists for the Crimson, who defeated No. 14 Massachusetts in their previous outing on Tuesday. UAlbany's Joe Resetarits totaled two goals and three assists and goalkeeper Edmund Cathers made 12 saves.

Paw Prints: UAlbany and Harvard met for the first time on the lacrosse field ... the Great Danes have previously faced Ivy League members Cornell, Princeton, Yale and Dartmouth ... UAlbany is 33-26 all-time in Division I games decided by two goals or less ... Miles Thompson and Ty Thompson each netted a career-high four goals ... Joe Resetarits had five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and extended his scoring streak to 28 consecutive games ... Edmund Cathers has made 10 or more saves against seven opponents ... defenseman Jack Nickla picked up a career-best four ground balls ... Brian Caufield moved into a tie for fourth place with Frank Resetarits (2004-07) on UAlbany's career assists chart (83) ... the senior needs three points to reach the 150-career mark.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information