NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Westminster College men's lacrosse team fell, 10-9, in their season opener against Hanover College in overtime at home on Saturday.
 
Hanover (1-0) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead over Westminster (0-1) just over three minutes into the game. The Panthers extended their lead to 4-0 at the end of the first period. In the second, Westminster responded with five consecutive goals, capped off by two man-up goals courtesy of junior Shane Fisher (Palm Harbor, FL / East Lake) and freshman Ryan Greer (Cranberry Twp, PA / Seneca Valley) to take a 5-4 with 5:53 remaining in the half. Following that, Hanover rattled off three more consecutive goals to take a 7-5 lead heading into the halftime break.
 
In the third quarter, the Titans grabbed momentum back with the only two goals of the frame, as sophomore Tyler Nordby (Burnt Hills, NY / Burnt Hills) and senior Adrian Culp (Gaithersburg, MD / Quince Orchard) knotted the score up at 7-7 heading into the fourth period. In the fourth, Hanover notched the first goal to take an 8-7 lead, but Westminster responded with goals from sophomore Bennett Webster (Penfield, NY / Penfield) and Nordby to take a 9-8 lead with 9:44 left in the game. The Panthers scored two minutes later to tie the game. The Titans had two opportunities to take the lead with under a minute to play, but both shot attempts sailed wide and the game was sent to overtime.
 
In overtime, Webster won the opening faceoff to give the Titans the first scoring opportunity. However, Westminster was unable to capitalize and Hanover scored on the very next possession to seal the game.
 
Nordby tied a career-high with three goals in his season-debut, while Fisher was right behind with two goals of his own. Webster recorded a career-high 11 ground balls, tied a career-high with 16 faceoff victories and score his first collegiate goal. Junior Romano Veneziano (Pittsburgh, PA / Pittsburgh Online Academy) earned a career-high nine ground balls. Junior Jack Granahan (Aldie, VA / John Champe) tied for a game-high with three caused turnovers.  
 
Westminster out shot Hanover, 39-34. The Titans held an advantage in ground balls (42-29) and face-offs (18-4). The Titans were 2-for-4 in extra man opportunities.
 
Westminster will be back in action on Saturday, February 22 when it takes on Gwynedd Mercy University in the first game of the Three Rivers Classic on the road at 10 a.m.