Siena Heights scored with 39 seconds remaining in overtime on Friday evening to defeat Lourdes 9-8 at O'Laughlin Stadium in Adrian, Mich.
"We are proud of our guys and how hard they fought today," head coach
Patrick Yannarelli said afterwards. "We asked the leaders to step up and they did. They led by example and we are in good shape moving forward. We played as a team and that bodes well for the future."
Lourdes, ranked second in NAIA, led early, but never by more than one goal, and held a lead at 4-3 following back-to-back goals by
Jared Yoshino (Toledo, Ohio/Southview H.S.) and
Tanner Jaramillo (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview H.S.) with 9:20 to play in the second quarter.
The 10
th-ranked Saints answered with three straight goals, including one with 18 seconds left before halftime and another just four seconds into the third quarter to take a 6-4 advantage. The Gray Wolves tied the game at six as Jaramillo assisted on goals by
Dylan Gill (Holland, Ohio/Saint Francis H.S.) and
Dalton Vowles (Toledo, Ohio/Saint John's H.S.).
Siena Heights found the equalizer with 1:47 to play in the third, and took the one-goal advantage to the final period. Jaramillo tied the contest at seven with 7:28 to play and his third goal of the game with 2:42 remaining put the Gray Wolves on top 8-7.
Danny Orr forced overtime for the Saints, scoring with 1:54 to play in regulation, before his fifth goal of the contest was the game-winner late in the extra period.
Siena Heights (7-3, 2-0 WHAC) outshot Lourdes 48-30 for the game, including 4-0 in overtime as the Saints had possession throughout the extra session.
Conner Mishler (Lambertville, Mich./Saint John's H.S.) made 14 saves for the Gray Wolves while Tyler Hooper had 13 stops for the Saints.
Casey Hillfinger (Whitehouse, Ohio/Anthony Wayne H.S.) led Lourdes with four groundballs as the Saints held a 25-21 advantage in that category as well.
Lourdes (9-2, 1-1) will return home on Wednesday evening as the Gray Wolves host Michigan-Dearborn. The opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.
