In a tight encounter, the Men’s Lacrosse 1s agonisingly lost 9-8 to Bath University at Duckes Meadows.
In a fiercely contested game, it was Bath who started brightest; a scramble in front of the goal resulted in the ball somehow finding its way over the line. Bath doubled their lead after a string of saves the ball fell fortunately to one of their offensive players to slot home. Exeter, despite the early set-backs, responded well with Michael Constantine seeing his shot fire off the post.
Shortly into the second quarter, Exeter drew one back through Lawrence Mays-Chandler – intricate build-up allowed him sufficient room to pick a spot and beat the keeper. The home side’s continual pressing meant that the defence was left vulnerable. Bath capitalised and initiated a counter-attack, culminating in a goal that saw their lead grow to 1-3.
Exeter’s characteristically skilful passing presented an opportunity for Michael Pristouris to reduce the deficit, and he didn’t disappoint. The home side presently levelled through Bhagya Silva, completing this mini-comeback. With the game increasing in pace and intensity, gaps appeared and a goal apiece saw the scores levelled at 4-4. Bath regained their one goal advantage, only for it to be taken cancelled out by Will Clarke, finishing with a precise finish.
The third quarter saw Bath race into a 6-4 lead as Exeter faced frustration in finding the net from their attacks. Bath started to dictate the pace and intensity of the game, slowing it down to suit their needs. Despite this, minutes before the end of the quarter, Exeter’s Matt King worked a shooting position, hurling the ball past Bath’s goalkeper: 5-6 heading into the final quarter.
Photo Credit: Edwin Yeung
Exeter, with the momentum of the previous goal, levelled things as Pristouris slotted home. The indecisive and ever-changing nature of the game meant that Bath once more took the lead via a solo effort from their star player.
The visitors then doubled their advantage, seemingly securing the result. The final minutes of the quarter witnessed a frenzy of goals as Exeter desperately searched for a result; Pristouris scored his third of the game to make it 8-7, only for Bath to recover their two-goal lead.
Courageously, the home side continued to fight on and their spirit paid dividends when Charlie McLellan narrowed the gap to one goal. Exeter then looked to have completed an admirable comeback when Charlie McLellan’s ferocious shot evaded the keeper’s efforts, but cannoned off the post: Bath were fortunate to hold on until the final whistle.
Exeter’s skilful passing presented many opportunities – bath were fortunate to hold on
The result sees Exeter placed third in their respective BUCS’ table, three points off Bath and Bristol. They play Bristol away in their next match and will look to beat the league leaders; the competitive edge demonstrated in this match coupled with more clinical finishing will be sufficient to see off the side they lost to on the opening day.