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No. 12 Sailfish Stand Tall, Hold Off Lindenwood-Belleville Comeback

Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in .
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. –– In a game that saw a 9-3 halftime lead evaporate, Palm Beach Atlantic (8-3) held off a tenacious Lindenwood-Belleville comeback for a 13-12 win. It was PBA’s Mr. Clutch, John Linnan (Penn Yan, N.Y./Jacksonville Univ.) who found the winner with 0:50.5 to play in the game on an assist from junior Dan Barry (Whitesboro, N.Y./Whitesboro). The game began with Palm Beach Atlantic controlling the game early, building a 4-2 lead after one quarter on goals from Linnan, Barry, Nick Scalzo, and Colin Price. Freshman midfielder Greg Swanson picked up three of his team-high five assists in the first quarter. The ‘Fish scored nine of thirteen goals on an assist. The second period saw much of the same as PBA raced out to a 9-3 halftime lead, outscoring the Lynx 5-1. Freshman Camden Baggs (Summerville, S.C./Ashley Ridge) registered two goals throughout that stretch. In the second half, Lindenwood-Belleville mounted a furious comeback, scoring nine of the next eleven goals to take a 12-11 lead with 6:17 remaining in the fourth quarter. At 4:58 of the fourth, senior Dennis Koleda (Huntington, N.Y./Harborfields) tied the game on an individual dodge from top center. After a stop by freshman goalie Drake Kessell (Hagerstown, Md./South Hagerstown), the ‘Fish used a controlled possession that led to Linnan’s game winning goal. PLAYER OF THE GAME Freshman midfielder Greg Swanson is the player of the game. Swanson’s transition ability, coupled with his five assists, proved to be the difference against Lindenwood-Belleville. He also grabbed four ground balls. UNSUNG HERO OF THE GAME Defenseman Tom Lund (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) sealed the win for Palm Beach Atlantic, picking up a late ground ball and running out the clock. Lund’s two forced turnovers and three ground balls played a key role in the victory. SERIES HISTORY Friday afternoon’s 13-12 victory for Palm Beach Atlantic came in PBA’s first-ever meeting with Lindenwood-Belleville. The Sailfish are now 1-0 all-time against Lindenwood University-Belleville. WHAT’S ON TAP The Sailfish Shootout has now been completed (The ‘Fish went 5-1 against the competition, with their only loss coming against No. 3 Grove City). Palm Beach Atlantic looks next to a game against Morehouse College on Saturday, March 22 at 4:30 p.m. at home (Memorial Field). You can follow all of the action via Twitter (www.twitter.com/pbalacrosse).

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