The Triangle

Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Pete Croteau

Media Credit: Pete Croteau

The men's lacrosse team was less than a minute away from clinching its first-ever CAA Championship, but a collapse similar to the one that occurred last year prevented the Dragons from taking the title.

No. 15 Drexel lost a heartbreaker to No. 17 Towson, 9-8, after the Tigers scored two goals in the last 30 seconds of the game, April 21 at Vidas Field.

Colin Ambler led the Dragons (10-5, 4-1) with four points, including three goals and an assist, while Andrew Chapman complimented the scoring attack with two goals.

Three players on the Tigers (8-4, 5-1) had two goals including Adam Hagelin, Brian Vetter and Jonathan Engelke, who scored the game winner with 15 seconds left.

Drexel led 7-4 with 8:18 remaining in the game, but Towson had a furious rally scoring five of the next six goals. Towson's Brian Vetter eventually tied the game at eight apiece with 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

It was supposed to be a special night for the seniors, as they were honored prior to the game. But Towson spoiled any post-game celebration for the Dragons.

Drexel coach Chris Bates said it was unfortunate to lose the chance to win the CAA Title, but in some respects, he felt worse for the fans.

"In some ways, I was more disappointed for the crowd not to go home as winners," Bates said. "It was unfortunate the fans didn't get to see us win a CAA Championship."

Drexel led 4-3 at the end of the third quarter, but the two teams combined for 10 goals in the final period.

Over 1,400 people were in attendance to see a game that started out as a stalemate, but finished as one of the most exciting games of the season.

"In all my years at Drexel, we never had such an exciting atmosphere," Bates said. "Hopefully that is the stepping stone for people to come out and watch our team in future."

Earlier this year, Ambler scored two goals in the final 10 seconds of the game to upset Virginia. This time, however, Drexel was on the losing end.

"You have to put [the loss] in the back of your head," said Adam Crystal, a two-time all-conference defender. "You learn from this. But we don't point fingers and we look to the next game. You talk about the games coming up, not what happened in the past. Just put focus on the next game."

Last season, Towson defeated Drexel in a similar manner. The Tigers trailed 8-6, but scored the last three goals of the game, including two in the final three minutes.

The visiting Tigers performed at a very high level on the Dragons' home turf. Towson had 18 ground balls compared to Drexel's 13, won 13 of 21 face-offs, and didn't have any penalties throughout the game.

Drexel closes the regular season with an away game at Hofstra April 28.

"We control our own destiny," Bates said. "If we win two of the next three games, we can still go to the NCAA Tournament."

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