LEXINGTON, Va. – Senior Sean Westley scored with 57 seconds remaining in overtime to give the St. Bonaventure a thrilling 9-8 victory at VMI Saturday afternoon.

It was a back-and-forth game throughout that saw both teams capture momentum.

Westley's game-winner capped off his fifth career hat trick and second in as many games. He totaled six points for the day after handing out three assists as well.

Jake Rosa posted three goals In another impressive effort by the junior.

"What a game, tight all the way through," St. Bonaventure head coach Randy Mearns said. "What was most impressive was our response when we got down by two and had no momentum. Our guys re-focused and were determined to turn the tide. We keep learning how to win and that's exciting. We're so proud of our boys."

VMI (1-3) started the scoring on an early goal, but the Bonnies would take control.

St. Bonaventure (2-1) took the 2-1 lead after 15 minutes following goals by Westley and Rosa, with Westley assisting the second, and extended its run to 4-0 with second quarter strikes from Nick Conklin and Jackson Rose.

The Keydets stopped Bonaventure's momentum, though, with a pair of goals before the half to close within one, 4-3.

VMI's surge at the end of the first half started what would become a 6-1 break for VMI as they pulled ahead 7-5 midway through the third quarter.

Westley ended the Keydets run by scoring with just 16 seconds left in the third, and the Bonnies would tie the contest just one minute into the fourth as Rosa netted his second of the day.

Rosa came through with his third goal to retake the lead just 47 seconds after tying things up.

St. Bonaventure had several chances to add to its lead during the fourth quarter.

Ahead by a goal, Anthony Cimino made a bid for breathing room, but his shot was denied with 8:25 to play. Conor Murphy, who scored earlier, had another shot two minutes later, but again VMI goalie Jack Liselli stood tall. Cian Collins fired another shot on net that was denied with 1:53 showing on the clock.

VMI had a golden opportunity for the win in regulation, but Brett Dobson made a game-saving stop with three seconds remaining to force overtime. 

Dobson earned the win in the cage with 17 saves. Liselli made 10 for VMI.

Freshman Trent Grainger won 11 of 20 faceoff attempts.

"Sean Westley certainly had a day going 3 (goals) and 3 (assists).  Your best players have to be your leaders in times of pressure and we got that from our guys today," Mearns added. "We got a huge defensive stand from our core in OT, a big stop by Brett Dobson and a successful clear that put us in a position to win. With the game on the line, Sean made it happen on an incredible individual effort.  What a feeling to earn our first OT win against a very well-coached and talented VMI team. We'll build on the experience and get ready for Richmond on Tuesday."

The Bonnies continue their spring break trip Tuesday at Richmond.

GAME NOTES

• Saturday marked the first overtime game in Bonnies Division I history.
• Turnovers were costly for both teams – the Bonnies were charged with 20 while VMI committed 18.
• All three of Bona's games this year have been decided by one goal each, and eight of their games the past two years by two or less.
• Bona was 24-for-29 in clear attempts while VMI finished 20-for-24.
• David Steria caused three turnovers defensively for the Bonnies and Blumbergs fired a team-high seven shots.

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