Seattle - A Metro conference matchup between the Lakeside Lions (6-4) and the O’Dea Fighting Irish (6-4) called for an early start as the first face-off was queued up for 5 pm. The Lions, are in their first season under the order of Coach Eric Davidheiser (Penn State ’13) and would serve as host to the Irish, now competing in their second year, both seasons coached by the locally-grown lacrosse pro, Drew Snider (Maryland ’12).

The first quarter seemed to set the tone that the afternoon’s game was going to be a battle of the defenses. Both goaltenders, Alan Badley for O’Dea and Isaac Kleisle-Murphy from Lakeside, had a strong showing, making some equally nice saves. The solid goaltending accompanied by forced turnovers made it hard for both teams to get anything on the board. Quincy Milton would strike with his first for the Irish on a powerful attack at the cage, followed not long after by Adam Strigenz making the first successful run to the goal for the Lions. Time would find it’s way off the clock and the teams would roll into the second locked at ones.

A string of well executed plays led to Cole Daninger sending a flurry of daggers at the cage, connecting only with the net for three consecutive goals. Working to find a way to stop the run, Charlie Powell charged O’Dea for their second goal of the game, but it would be the last tally for either team before the half would end. The third frame was nearly a re-write of the second, only that it wasn’t just Cole Daninger getting the credit. Daninger did round out his hat trick first, but it came in the middle of a pair of goals for Quincy Milton, the second also capturing Milton’s hat trick. For Lakeside it was third different scorer, Mihir Venkatesh registering the only point against the O’Dea defense for the third-straight quarter.

Not ready to throw in the towel, the Lions rallied for 12 minutes of arguably the best lacrosse they’ve played this season. The goals didn’t start falling until late in the game, digging in deep Cory Foulk got the run started met by Charlie Powell’s second goal not long after. Taking it upon himself to put the game within one score, Cory Foulk came up successful once more for the Lions in the dwindling minutes of the fourth quarter. After making a few impressive defensive stands and grinding hard in transition, Lakeside recovered the ball and worked it around Michael Taylor who came up clutch for his team, burying the game-tying goal. Relentless pressure from both squads would stave on any further goals in regulation, forcing the third overtime scenario of the season for each team.

Four minutes were on the clock, the goalies made their way to the nets in-front of their respective teams and the Lions’ Adam Strigenz took the face-off X once more opposite Connor Gregoire. Lakeside would win possession off the draw, but a quick trap at the midfield forced a change of possession with the ball quickly working its way to the O’Dea offense. The defense would force the Irish to make quick decisions, but it would end with the ball making it’s way to an open Andrew Walker, who had time to chose his shot and bury it, instantly winning the game for the Irish.

Looking to get back in the win column, Lakeside will take the field again on Saturday afternoon, this time on the road at Kennedy Catholic in another Metro match-up. Getting the weekend off, O’Dea returns to action in their second non-conference battle with Eastside Catholic of the season, at home on Tuesday at Upper Genesee. By Mark Donahue.