HUNTINGDON, PA – Trailing by as many as four midway through the fourth quarter, the Wilkes University men's lacrosse team battled back tying the game with :17 left and eventually winning its first Landmark Conference game with a goal in double overtime as the Colonels posted a 12-11 decision over host Juniata College Saturday afternoon at Gibbel Stadium.
 
Wilkes improved to 3-7 4-7overak and 1-2 in Landmark play. Juniata dropped to 3-7 overall and 0-2 in league contests.
 
Juniata took a 3-1 lead after one quarter with Wilkes' lone goal coming from an unassisted tally from Tim Hartka (Phoenix, MD/Calvert Hall) at 8:51.
 
Anthony DelDuca (Westchester, NY/Westlake) made it 3-2 with 12:37 left in the second quarter before Juniata notched six unanswered goals to take a 9-3 advantage at the half.
 
The Colonels fought back in the third frame scoring the only three goals over the period to cut into the lead trailing 9-6. Jackson Casper (Bel Air, MD/Bel Air) scored first at 11:47 with an assist to Austin Sosnovik (New Tripoli, PA/Northwestern Lehigh). DelDuca added his second goal of the game with another helper from A. Sosnovik before Hartka posted his second strike of the game off yet another A. Sosnovik assist.
 
The teams traded goals to start the final quarter of regulation with brothers Stone Sosnovik (New Tripoli, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) and A. Sosnovik scoring for the Colonels as Juniata led 11-8. A. Sosnovik made it a two-goal game with 4:59 before Casper continued the pressure on the Eagles with a goal with 2:02 on the fourth quarter clock and Wilkes trailing 11-10.
 
From there it was DelDuca finishing his hat trick and tying the game at 11 with his third of the day off a pass from Hartka with :17 left in regulation.
 
After a scoreless first overtime, S. Sosnovik played hero scoring the game-winning goal with 2:45 remaining in the period thanks to a pass from Casper propelling the Colonels to the road conference victory.
 
Wilkes held a 63-55 shot advantage while finishing 31-for-41 on clearing attempts. The faceoff circle was nearly even as Juniata posted one more win with 14 in the game.
 
A. Sosnovik led the Colonels with seven points on two goals and five assists. Brother Stone followed with four points on two goals and two helpers while Casper (2G, 1A), Hartka (2G, 1A) and DelDuca (3G) all contributed with three points each.
 
Caleb Miller (Mohrsville, PA/Schuylkill Valley) earned the win in goal for Wilkes finishing with 21 saves.
 
Wilkes continues Landmark play on Wednesday hosting Drew University at 7:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium.