Men’s Lacrosse: BU Secures No. 2 Seed in Patriot League with Senior Night Win

By Hannah Connors

The Boston University Men’s Lacrosse Team (10-4, 6-2 PL) took down the Colgate University Raiders (7-7, 4-4 PL) 14-12 Friday at Nickerson Field on senior night.

The Terrier’s victory secured them the second seed in the Patriot League playoff tournament, meaning they have a bye into the semi-finals. 

“I thought it was a pretty classic Colgate-BU game,” coach Ryan Polley said. “Just two really good teams playing up tempo, really good offenses.”

Colgate struck first when attackman Rory Connor came from behind the net to put the Raiders on the board first.

Following a period of sloppy play, defensemen Connor Kehm gained a ground ball to give BU their second sustained offensive zone time. Kehm found midfielder Andrew Pape to tie the game for the Terriers.

Colgate left no time for recovery, as Fogo Kyle Rummel quickly won the faceoff and found attackman Jack Turner to give the Raiders the lead. 

Motivated by a disallowed goal, the Terriers responded by finding the back of the net with two consecutive highlight-reel-worthy plays. Midfielder Tyler Fox scored a jumping shot, followed by a behind-the-back goal for attackman Jimmy Kohr.

Rory Connor was able to tie the game 3-3 to close out the quarter.

The second quarter was highlighted with seesaw-like play. Both teams had a series of back-to-back goals. This pattern started with some brotherly chemistry from Colgate.

Rory Connor connected with his brother, midfielder Liam Connor. Riding his goal-scoring momentum, Liam quickly assisted midfielder Hunter Drouin, stretching the lead to 5-3.

Subsequently, the Terriers responded with two goals. Attackman Timothy Shannehan connected with senior Jimmy O’Connell right at the doorstep, and Fox netted an unassisted goal.

“My teammates just set me up for great plays and great success,” O’Connell said. “They trust me a lot to take chances with my stick.” 

The Raiders followed up by scoring three consecutive goals, setting the score 8-5 with under five minutes remaining in the half. 

At the end of the second quarter, BU closed out the scoring. Pape capitalized with just three seconds left on the shot clock, and O’Connell did the same after a timeout, narrowing the score to an 8-7 BU deficit at halftime.

To open the second half, the Raiders generated first. After three goal-scoring chances, Colgate was able to take advantage when goaltender Will Barnes was left distracted by action happening by the crease.

However, Colgate’s momentum was short-lived. Five minutes into the third quarter, Shannehan responded as he has done all year, sending the Terriers on a five-goal scoring spree. 

“I think that was the turning point [in the game],” Polley said.

All five goals came thanks to the starting attack line for the Terriers, three coming from Shannehan and one goal apiece from Kohr and O’Connell.

“We rely on them so heavily to score,” Polley said of the attack line. “They haven’t disappointed in many games this year.”

Shannehan was the first freshman in the nation to tally 50 points, and is fourth on the team in total points this season.

Shannehan’s initial goal allowed the Terriers to pick up speed and maintain offensive possession for the remainder of the quarter, dominating the Raiders.

While Colgate was able to open up the final quarter with a goal early, BU’s defense was able to hold off the Raiders with notable plays from Barnes, who made an interception at midfield which then set up attackman Ben Morris for his first goal of the game, putting the Terriers up 13-10.

“He’s been our MVP all year,” Polley said of Barnes. “We are asking him to do so much in our riding game, and he never complains.”

As time wound down, Colgate’s clear became sloppier, allowing the Terriers to gain possession and begin to let the clock run out.

Despite the Terrier’s taking their time and slowing down their offensive pace, BU still generated. Brenden Kelly tallied the last goal of the night for the Terriers, marking his second time scoring the decisive goal in a high stakes victory over Colgate, having previously netted BU’s game-winner against the Raiders in the Patriot League quarterfinals in triple overtime.

Rory Connor was able to tally his fourth and fifth goals of the night with under a minute left in the game, but BU’s stretched lead from the third quarter proved to be too much for the Raiders to come back from, particularly with the deterioration of defense towards the end of the game.

“It means a lot for all of us,” O’Connell said of the victory.  “All the seniors have been through a lot throughout this season…so to be able to get that win and just do it for each other, I think it was more than just a senior effort.”

Having clinched the No. 2 seed in the Patriot League Tournament, BU will await the highest remaining seed from the quarterfinal round for a matchup scheduled on Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m., at Army West Point. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.