NEWPORT NEWS, VA (March 20, 2025) -- Despite trailing back as many as seven goals in the first half, the top-ranked Tufts University men's lacrosse charged back to earn a thrilling 17-16 overtime win over No. 3 Christopher Newport University in action from Jennings Family Stadium Thursday.
The night began with Christopher Newport seizing control early, racing out to an 8-2 lead in the first quarter. Jamie Smith and Brett Jackson led the charge, with Smith netting a hat trick in the opening frame. The Captains capitalized on Tufts' slow start and commanded the offensive tempo, outshooting the Jumbos 18-9 in the quarter.
However, Tufts found their rhythm in the second quarter.
Garrett Kelly and
Brooks Hauser helped ignite a comeback effort, trimming the deficit with timely goals. Kelly's unassisted strike at 11:54 of the second quarter provided a spark, and by halftime, the Jumbos had clawed back to make it an 11-7 game.
The Jumbos stormed into the third quarter with a vengeance. Hauser struck again, and
Will Emsing provided a crucial unassisted goal to continue the rally. Despite man-up goals from Logan Shassian and Brett Jackson for CNU, Tufts kept applying pressure. With 2:03 left in the quarter, Emsing found the back of the net again, bringing the game within two at 14-12 heading into the final frame.
Tufts' relentless push continued into the fourth, as
Ben Frisoli and Kelly scored early to tie the game at 14-14. With momentum fully swinging in Tufts' favor, Kelly completed his five-goal masterpiece with another pair of goals, giving the Jumbos their first lead of the game at 16-14 with just over five minutes remaining.
CNU, however, refused to fold. Shassian netted a clutch goal at 1:56 to cut the deficit to one, and with just 25 seconds left, Fred Fulkerson capitalized on a man-up opportunity to send the game into overtime, electrifying the home crowd.
In the extra session, CNU got the opening possession and had a great chance but a shot from Jackson clanged off the cross bar and out. Tufts goalkeeper
Conner Garzone quickly sent the ball upfield to Frisoli, who found Ettinghausen wide open on the goal line extended. The senior attack ripped a shot past the left ear of the CNU keeper to seal the win for the Jumbos.
Following the Tufts' goal, CNU challenged that the previous shot in overtime crossed the goal line and hit netting but the officials stayed with the call on the field to confirm the win.
Kelly posted a career-high five goals on five shots on goal, adding an assist to his ledger. Emsing had a career-high five points on three goals and two assists, while adding three ground balls as well. Hauser stayed hot with four goals, and
Charlie Tagliaferri had a goal and two assists.
Ettinghausen upped his impressive goal-scoring streak to 26 straight games with his overtime game-winner, and
Beau Keough had a goal and an assist, two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
Senior
Joey Waldbaum had four ground balls and a caused turnover, while
Logan Lee and
Michael Ayers each had two grounders and two caused turnovers.
Parker Merril was 11-for-22 at the "X" as he also added six ground balls. Garzone was fantastic in the second half, as he finished with 17 saves.
CNU held a 55-37 edge in shots for the night, and was 3-for-4 with the extra man. The Captains had three players with three goals Thursday, while Kevin Miller had a team-high six helpers. Mason Bellinger made nine saves for CNU.
Tufts will have a day off before heading to No. 12 Stevens Saturday at noon for another ranked non-conference tilt in Hoboken, NJ.
--JUMBOS--
