Box Score Box Score

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Sophomore keeper John McCarthy (Cinnaminson, N.J./Northeast Catholic) made 13 saves and La Salle held on to tie No. 23 Xavier 2-2 in double overtime in Sunday afternoon's rematch of the 2010 Atlantic 10 title game. The Explorers (3-6-2, 1-0-1 Atlantic 10) scored two second-half goals within three minutes to knot the score at two.

Xavier (6-2-2, 0-1-1 Atlantic 10) drew first blood with a Luke Spencer goal in the 33rd minute. He teamed up with Will Walker and Matt Walker on passes on the left side of the box before flicking the ball over McCarthy and into the net.

Sophomore Kevin Pink (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) scored his first career goal at the 52:11 mark to tie the game at one each. Jason Plumhoff (Ellicott City, Md./River Hill) recorded the first of his two assists on the day, sailing a corner kick in and finding Pink, who headed the ball home for the score.

The Musketeers answered right back just 38 seconds later. A few quick passes in the box by Will Walker and Andy Kaplan ultimately found Matt Walker, who punched the goal in with a low shot to the left to put the home squad back on top 2-1.

The frenzied few minutes were not done as the Explorers once again came back to knot the game in the 56th minute in much the same fashion as the first goal. Plumhoff took a corner kick which found Jeff Pio (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent), who put the ball in the net.

Both teams had several chances in regulation to win, but neither team could capitalize with both defenses holding strong. McCarthy stopped three Musketeer shots in the second overtime to preserve the tie.

The La Salle defense faced 30 shots, 17 of which were on goal, and came up with two team saves in the process. Spencer led the attack with a game-high seven tries, while 10 different Explorers took at least one shot as the Blue and Gold recorded 14 tries.

In addition to McCarthy's 13 stops, Xavier keeper Justin Marshall made four. He was relieved by Ryan Engelmann in the first overtime period, who did not have to make a save.

The Explorers return home next weekend, hosting Rhode Island on Friday (10/14) at 7:00 PM and Massachusetts on Sunday (10/16) at 1:00 PM.