PHILADELPHIA – A drama-filled season-opener for the St. Bonaventure men's lacrosse team saw the Bonnies lead nearly wire-to-wire, but Saint Joseph's scored twice in the final 20 seconds to hand the visitors a heartbreaking 12-11 decision Saturday afternoon.

Bonnies senior Zach Owens started the rollercoaster final minutes by giving his squad the lead with 2:09 to play.

Saint Joseph's delivered the equalizer with just 20 seconds showing on the clock, however, as Tucker Brown scored on the man-up following a Bonaventure penalty.

The Hawks (1-0) won the ensuing faceoff, setting the stage for Levi Anderson who netted the game-winner with four seconds to play.

For much of the afternoon it seemed as though the Bonnies would score an impressive non-conference win.

Bona's built a first half lead over the traditional NEC powerhouse Hawks, leading by five, 7-2, after 30 minutes.

Senior Sean Westley picked up the first goal of 2022 – just like he netted the very first tally in program history at Saint Joe's three seasons prior. This time, a Westley goal came on a ricochet just under three minutes in for the early edge.

Westley then found Jackson Rose in front three minutes later for his second point and Bona's second tally.

The Hawks would get on the board at the 7:54 mark with a man-up strike to cut the lead in half, but goals from Rose and Jake Rosa, the latter coming on the power play, allowed the Bonnies to take a 4-2 advantage after 15 minutes.

An amazing, behind-the-back goal from Rosa, the reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, off a rebound set the stage for a second quarter owned by the Brown and White as they would keep the Hawks scoreless in the frame. Much of that was due to the outstanding work in the cage from senior goalie Brett Dobson who recorded 16 saves in the first half alone.

Saint Joseph's changed the complexion of the game quickly following intermission, though, with a 4-0 run to begin the third quarter. The hosts would immediately get back in the contest with a pair of goals just 2:42 into the second half to close within three.

Austin Blumbergs ended the Hawks' break with a strike from 15 yards out for a bit of breathing room. Bona's had multiple chances to draw ahead further, but like Dobson stifled the home team during the first half of play, Hawks goalkeeper Tucker Almany denied multiple solid chances created by the Brown and White during the third.

With Almany keeping the Bonnies off the board, the Hawks continued their assault. Anderson hammered home a shot right in front for the 8-8 draw with 2:18 remaining in the quarter.

Ben Garcia gave the Bonnies a jolt of energy heading to the final 15 minutes as he sent in a rocket on a last-second breakaway, scoring at the third quarter buzzer for a 9-8 margin.

That score wouldn't last long, though, as Austin Strazzulla knotted the game just 39 seconds into the fourth.

Bona had an incredible chance with Anthony Cimino and Rosa at point-blank range with just over seven minutes left to get in front again, but Almany made a tremendous stop.

The two goalies traded saves to keep the game tied, but Matt Bohmer gave the Hawks their first lead of the game with 5:53 remaining as he beat the shot clock with an acrobatic goal.

St. Bonaventure found an answer, though, as Rose deposited a feed from Rosa for his fourth of the day and a 10-10 draw with 4:57 to go as the stage was set for the finish.

Rose matched his career-high of four goals with his third career hat trick. Rosa tallied three points on two goals and an assist and Cian Collins also chipped in a Bona goal.

Saint Joseph's peppered 62 shots on the afternoon and owned a 25-17 advantage in groundballs. The Hawks were denied just once in 13 clear attempts while the Bonnies were successful 18 of 20 times. SJU dominated the faceoff X, going 20-for-26 in total.

Dobson made 22 saves on the day, just one off his program record of 23 set in the program's first game three years ago at High Point.

Bohmer delivered a hat trick for the Hawks and Anderson logged five points. Almany turned away 12 shots in the cage.

Bonaventure will be back in action next Saturday at Binghamton in a contest slated for a noon start.

GAME NOTES

• Rose's previous four-goal game came as a freshman vs. Manhattan Feb. 23, 2019.
• Rose scored on all four shots he took during the day.
• Rosa led the team with seven shot attempts, all on goal.
• Bona committed 11 turnovers while the Hawks finished with 10.
• Cimino started his collegiate career with a pair of assists.
• When the Bonnies held the Hawks off the scoreboard in the second quarter it marked the fifth time in program history SBU has kept an opponent without a tally for an entire period.
• Saint Joseph's entered the year picked second in the NEC preseason poll, returning seven starters and five of its top six scorers from a 9-4 squad last year.
• SJU moved to 3-0 against the Bonnies, though Saturday was by far the closest contest. The Hawks took a neutral site win in the last meeting, 15-8 on Feb. 9, 2020, and won at home, 15-7, in 2019.

-----
For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on Twitter @GoBonnies and get men's lacrosse updates @BonniesMLAX. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies.