Westminster dropped to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in RMAC play Thursday, falling to Colorado Mesa 13-12 in overtime at home. The Griffins rallied from a 12-9 deficit in the final two minutes of regulation to force overtime, but Dillon Pless scored at the 0:31 mark of the extra period to give the Mavs the victory.

Game Breakdown

First Quarter

Westminster jumped out to a 2-0 lead on back-to-back goals from Duke DeVault — the first assisted by Christian Jones at 14:16 and the second by Harrison Edwards at 11:07. Colorado Mesa responded with three straight from Dillon Pless, Connor Jensen, and Nik Moore to take a 3-2 lead heading into the second.

Second Quarter

Colorado Mesa extended its lead to 5-2 on goals from Ari Villano and Nik Moore (man-up) before Westminster mounted a comeback. Luke Sillstrop scored three goals in quick succession — at 9:06 assisted by Harrison Edwards, at 8:18 on a man-up assisted by Ridge Crouch, and at 7:27 assisted by Harrison Edwards — to tie the game at 5-5. Colorado Mesa responded with goals from Jack Cooper and Eli Bibler to close the half leading 7-5.

Third Quarter

Both teams managed just one goal each in a defensive third quarter. Colorado Mesa's Nik Moore scored at 14:01 to extend the lead to 8-5, before DeVault answered at 11:29 assisted by Harrison Edwards to make it 8-6 heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

Westminster took its first lead since the first quarter with three unanswered goals — DeVault unassisted at 10:07, Charlie Phelps unassisted at 9:54, and Liam Sweeney at 8:59 assisted by Cam Conti — to go up 9-8. Colorado Mesa responded with four straight from Julius Petersen, Carson Points, Julius Petersen again, and Camden Moody to lead 12-9 with just over two minutes remaining. Westminster refused to quit, scoring three times in the final 1:31 — DeVault assisted by George Phelps at 1:21, Sillstrop unassisted at 0:50, and DeVault assisted by Harrison Edwards at 0:21 — to force overtime tied at 12-12.

Overtime

Colorado Mesa won the opening faceoff of the extra period and controlled possession, pushing the ball into the offensive zone. Christian Jones made a key save on a Julius Petersen shot at 2:39 to keep the game tied before the Mavs worked the ball back into position. With 31 seconds remaining in the overtime period, Dillon Pless found the back of the net to end the game and seal the 13-12 Colorado Mesa victory, sending the Griffins to their fourth loss of the season.

Griffin Performances

Duke DeVault led all scorers with 6 goals and 6 points on 13 shots, adding 2 ground balls.

Luke Sillstrop added 4 goals and 4 points on 10 shots, also contributing 5 ground balls, while Harrison Edwards was the catalyst with 5 assists and 5 points.

Charlie Phelps and Liam Sweeney each added 1 goal. Cam Conti, Ridge Crouch, Christian Jones, and George Phelps each recorded 1 assist.

In goal, Christian Jones played all 63:29, making 16 saves. Westminster won the faceoff battle 18-10 and finished even on ground balls 43-43 but committed 24 turnovers.

Up Next

Westminster looks to rebound as RMAC play continues at home on Saturday against Adams State University.