St. Louis – Clayton Cerett fired in the game-winning goal with 25.6 seconds left to boost the Maryville men's lacrosse team to a thrilling 12-11 victory over Westminster. After the Saints went ahead, Shea Raeburn won the ensuing faceoff and Maryville ran out the final seconds to win their third straight game.
 
Westminster recap
David Yakel scored 68 seconds into the game to give the Saints the quick lead. Justin Morgan followed 34 ticks later for a 2-0 edge. The Griffins tied the game but the Saints reeled off four straight to surge ahead. Reid Usrey started the run, and Connor Kvaal's tally made it 6-2. Up 6-4 starting the second, Ethan Olson and Cerett scored to make it 8-4. Westminster chipped away and closed to within 9-8 at halftime.
 
Like at the start of the first half, Yakel and Morgan tallied to put the Saints on top 11-8. However, the Griffins pulled two back in the third and tied the score at 11-11 with 11 minutes to play. Both defenses took over and did not allow a score until the final minutes.
 
Westminster had the ball with 2:30 to play but the Maryville defense forced a shot clock violation to get the ball back. After the Saints cleared the ball, they called time out to set up the winning sequence. Cerett moved to his left at the top of the circle and rifled in a shot to the lower right for the game winner in the waning moments.
 
Cerett finished the game with two goals and two assists. Morgan, Usrey and Yakel all scored twice as the Saints had a balanced attack with eight different goal scorers. Stephen DeSantis came on in goal in the second half and picked up the victory.
 
Statistical Leaders
Goals: four players - 2
Assists: Clayton Cerett - 2
Points: Clayton Cerett - 4
Ground Balls: Shea Raeburn - 9
Caused Turnovers: seven players - 1
Saves: Stephen DeSantis and Jaxon Snyder - 5
 
Records
Maryville: 3-1
Westminster: 0-2
 
What's Next?
The Saints take to the road and play at Mercyhurst Saturday, March 4.