By JOSHUA NATOLI
Sports Editor
The Golden Knight netted five goals in the fourth quarter after trailing Saint Michael’s by as many as six. But ultimately, Saint Rose came up short in an 11-8 defeat to the NE-10 Conference rival Purple Knights this past Saturday afternoon at Sullivan Field at the Plumeri Sports Complex.
Junior attacks Evan Helming and Colin Sorber led the Golden Knights (1-6 Overall/1-3 NE-10) offense. Helming scored a season-high three goals and with an assist, and Sorber finished with two strikes and an assist as well. Junior midfielders Kris Miller and Ryan McFee, and senior midfielder Rich Bamberger all had one goal each, while junior attack Kevin Fleming earned two assists.
On defense, freshman goalkeeper Joe Shapiro came up with a season-high 14 saves.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Purple Knights (1-4 Overall, 1-1 NE-10) went into the half with a 3-1 lead then turned it into a 4-1 lead in the opening minute of the third quarter before Sorber finished a Helming feed and McFee scored unassisted to get Saint Rose back to within one.
Saint Michael’s then would score five unanswered goals for a 9-3 cushion in the final minute of the period.
Saint Rose kept its composure and got two goals back as Bamberger and Miller both scored unassisted goals 43 seconds apart to make it 9-5 game. Senior attack Evan Antolino then netted a pair of goals around a Sorber strike within a five minute span to put the Purple Knights in control behind an 11-6 advantage.
Helming then added a pair of goals, but the Purple Knights won the final faceoff as the Golden Knights were whistled for two penalties that allowed the visitors to run out the clock.
Antolino and senior midfielder Cooper Quenneville each found the back of the net three times to lead Saint Michael’s. Sophomore goalkeeper T.J. Bicknell recorded four of his seven saves in the fourth quarter.
On tap for this week, Saint Rose has a 4 p.m. match at American International today in Springfield, Mass.
