SALT LAKE CITY – The Westminster men's lacrosse team saw its five-game winning streak come to an end in an 8-7 loss in double overtime to Colorado Mesa on Saturday afternoon at Dumke Field.
 
Westminster (6-2, 5-1 RMAC) had a chance to win when Thomas Sarjeant had his shot turned away with 1:45 left in the second overtime. Colorado Mesa (7-4, 4-1 RMAC) turned the transition opportunity into a goal as Connor Morgan finished in close to give the Mavericks the victory.
 
"It's always tough to lose a game in double overtime," Westminster head coach Mason Goodhand said. "These types of games will make us a better team. The good news is this doesn't end our season, instead it gives us a reason to work harder."
 
The Griffins had a great chance in the closing seconds of the first overtime when Blake Burner had a chance denied by Zach Weaver of CMU on a breakaway. Both Weaver and Griffin goalie Philip Cannell made multiple saves in the two extra periods.
 
"I thought both teams played extremely well and feel like this is the way we want every game to be played," Goodhand added.
 
The defense dictated much of the game as neither team had much success getting shots on cage. The visiting Mavericks had a 48-32 edge in total shots with Westminster getting just 20 of their attempts on target.
 
Josh Holland scored three goals to lead the Griffins. He was held to just five shots (three on goal) on the day, six below his season average. Cole Flinders, Christian Pompoco, Troy Vance, and Bridger Fisher had the only Westminster goals. Sarjeant had the team's lone assist.
 
Vance gave the Griffins a 7-6 lead with 6:27 remaining in the fourth quarter, their first lead since late in the second quarter. CMU answered just eight seconds later when Calen Ketcham scored off a faceoff win.
 
Westminster finished 12 of 19 in faceoffs for the game and had a 29-22 advantage in ground balls. They went 17 of 20 in clearing chances, but failed to score on three extra-man opportunities. CMU was 2 of 4 on the man-advantage and went 18 of 22 on clears.
 
Jake Berard won 11 of 18 faceoffs and led the team with five ground balls. Sarjeant and Elias Fairman each had two caused turnovers. Cannell took the loss in cage with 16 saves and two caused turnovers.
 
Ketcham scored two goals to lead CMU as they got goals from seven different players. Weaver finished with 13 saves to earn the win.
 
The Griffins have a pair of games at home next weekend, starting on Friday when they host Adams State. That game will begin at 4 p.m. and tickets are available at WestminsterGriffins.com/tickets.