BOX SCORE

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California men's lacrosse team fought through wind and rain during Thursday afternoon's season opener to come away victorious, 12-11, over visiting Adams State College at Forest Meadows Field. Senior attackman Emmett Faricy led the Penguins with four goals in his return from knee surgery.

It was the first-ever meeting between the Penguins (1-0) and the newly formed Grizzlies (1-2) program and the Penguins' first-ever match since helping form the Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, composed of five NCAA Division II programs in California, and Colorado, and Arizona.

It was redshirt freshman Dalton Copeland who got things started for Dominican, scoring six minutes into action. Junior attackman Corey Botwinick added another goal three minutes later before the Grizzlies finally lit up the scoreboard on Adam Kingston's goal. Upson scored his first goal of the day mere seconds into the second quarter and gave the Penguins a 3-1 lead. Adams State fought back with a pair of goals from Chanson Miller and Chris Cunningham to even the game at thre goals apiece but sophomore middie Jim Little took the ball for an unassisted goal, then found Copeland three minutes later for a score. Botwinick connected with Faricy to give the Penguins a 6-3 lead at the break.

The two teams connected for nine goals in the third quarter and the Penguins took as a five-goal lead, their largest of the day, when Faricy connected with junior attackman Reed Upson. Adams State closed out the third period with a goal and that was the first of four unanswered goals that saw the Dominican lead dissolve into a single goal, 11-10, with three minutes to play. Little connected with Faricy for an insurance goal with 1:34 to go and that goal would prove necessary when Adams State scored half a minute later.

Adams State was led by Miller's four goals and Cunninghams' three goals. Adam Kingston added a pair of goals and Kevin Bertrand and Michael Santamaria each added a goal.

In addition to Faricy's four goals and three assists, Copeland recorded a hat track in his first game in a Dominican uniform. Botwinick and Upson each scored twice and Little added three assists to go with his goal. Junior midfielder captain Matt Polizzi led all players with a dozen groundballs.

Freshman goalie Sean Donohue earned his first collegiate victory and made 12 saves.

The Penguins don't return to action until Sunday, March 6 when Dominican begins a three-game road trip in North Carolina at Belmont Abbey College. Faceoff is set for 2:00 p.m. Eastern/11:00 a.m. Pacific.