MONTREAL –
Hunter Zawada collected a hat-trick and
Andrew Chase potted a pair, including the game-winner with 12 seconds remaining, as McGill rallied to edge Queen's 7-6 in Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association action, Sunday, at Percival Molson Stadium.
The result extended McGill's pristine record to 7-0 in league play and extended their streak over Queen's to 29 consecutive victories, dating back to an 8-6 loss on Oct. 17, 2004.
Combined with an identical 7-6 result in women's hockey at McConnell Arena earlier in the day, it marked the first time in a century-old school rivalry that McGill had defeated their arch-rivals by the same score in separate sports on the same date.
McGill led 1-0 after the opening period and 4-1 at halftime but only 5-4 after three. Queen's then scored back-to-back goals in the final quarter to take a 6-5 lead for the first time but Zawada notched the equalizer with 3:30 remaining and Chase saved McGill from overtime with his last-second tally.
"We've stayed positive as a team, kept our composure, and found ways to win some very close games this season," said relieved McGill head coach
Tim Murdoch. "We called a timeout after tying the game and used a set-play to Chase for the winning goal."
Zawada, a kinesiology junior from Kimberley, B.C., who was switched from midfielder to attack this season, opened the scoring in the first period. he gave his side a 3-1 cushion with 70 seconds left in the half, then completed his hat-trick late in the final stanza.
"He had a huge game today and is an all-round athlete with great quickness " noted Murdoch. "He's really anchoring that starting spot on attack and we'll be seeing some big things from him."
Also scoring for McGill was Australian midfielder
Evan Reynolds and
Ethan Forgrave, a freshman from Edmonton who now has six goals in seven contests.
McGill's face-off specialist
Julian Smith-Voudouros returned from injury, putting up a 61.5 per cent success rate in the face-off circle. Midfielder
Brendan Byrne also collected a team high seven ground balls on the day.
Leading the pack for Queen's was 6-foot-5
Angus Rawding of Barrie, Ont., who produced two goals and an assist. Rounding out the scoring was
Emmet Donahoe,
Austin Pringle,
Curtis Plante and
Carter McKenzie.
McGill goalie duties were shared between seniors
Michael Gallo who started and
David Pelliccione who came in at the 30-minute mark and was credited with the win. Gallo made two saves on three shots and Pelliccione allowed five goals on nine shots .
Between the pipes for Queen's,
Ryan Trent made 14 saves on 21 shots and took the loss.
Next up, McGill (7-0) visits NCAA Division-1 Vermont for an exhibition match on Saturday, Oct. 12. Queen's (3-4) plays Trent University (6-1) on Oct. 16 in Peterborough, Ont.,.
SCORING SUMMARY
