Carey’s two late goals lift Huntingdon lacrosse over Hendrix

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Junior Gavin Carey scored with five seconds left in regulation to force overtime and scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Huntingdon men's lacrosse team edged Hendrix College 9-8 on Saturday.

The win was the third straight for the first-year Hawks (4-2).

"This was a special win for us," head coach Andrew Carey said. "This was a program-building win against an excellent team. Our guys were down but we kept pushing and we were able to score two big goals at the end.

"Our guys have an attitude that they're never going to quit. That's something we've worked to develop in practice and it paid off in a game like this."

The Hawks knew they would be tested on Saturday. Entering the game, Hendrix (1-4) and Huntingdon had played one common opponent. Hendrix beat Augustana 5-4 and Huntingdon lost to Augustana 11-2.

The Hawks matched Hendrix early. A goal by Tyler Campbell, two by Carey and two by Michael Brunick helped the Hawks go into halftime down 6-5. Entering the fourth period, Huntingdon trailed 8-6.

Brunick scored with 7:47 left to make it an 8-7 game, but the Warriors frustrated Huntingdon's offensive attack for most of the fourth period.

Huntingdon got one last chance with 12 seconds to play. The Hawks went the length of the field, Brandon Sewell found Carey on a pass and Carey found the back of the net with five seconds remaining.

In the four-minute overtime, Huntingdon turned the ball over on its first possession and goalie Spencer Nix made a save on Hendrix's first shot. Huntingdon's Campbell took a shot on the Hawks' second possession but Hendrix made the save. Hendrix turned the ball over on its second possession and Steven Gernatt picked it up for the Hawks. Carey ended the game with 1:57 left in overtime.

"We had several guys step up and play well today," Gavin Carey said. "Brandon made a great assist on the goal to tie the game. The defense played well, the midfield played well and it wasn't just one person scoring. We've got some guys that have never played before this year and they're playing really well right now. If we can play like this every game, we'll have a chance to win in every game."

Carey finished with four goals and an assist. Brunick scored three goals and Campbell added two goals. Gernatt had eight ground balls and Sewell and Alex Taylor each had six ground balls. Sewell also had two assists and Taylor forced three turnovers.

Goalie Spencer Nix finished with 15 saves.