Senior midfielder Eric Gollands (Chelmsford, MA) scored his game-high fourth goal with one second left in overtime to lift the Clarkson University Lacrosse team to a key 10-9 win on the road over Skidmore College in Liberty League action in Saratoga Springs on Saturday evening.

After suffering close losses in their last two conference game, the Golden Knights came out with a determined effort against Skidmore (5-7, 1-3 Liberty League) and battled the Thoroughbreds even through regulation before Gollands connected for the game-winner to give the Green and Gold their first overtime triumph in over a year.

The game was tight the whole way, tied 3-3 after one, 6-6 at the half and 8-7 Clarkson through 45 minutes.

The Knights took the biggest lead of the game by either team, 8-6 on junior Brendon Shearin's (Goffstown, NH) goal with 4:20 to play in the third quarter. Skidmore battled back to tie it, 8-8 midway through the fourth.

Gollands put Clarkson back in front off a blocked shot rebound with 4:20 to play. Mike Perlow tied it back up for Skidmore, 9-9 with 3:16 remaining in regulation. Both teams had chances to win it in the final minutes of regulation, but Clarkson junior Ryan Cole (Orchard Park, NY) and Thoroughbred goalie Matt Diaco each came up big to force the overtime.

In the overtime, it was Cole and Diaco continuing to play well, with each goalie stopping two shots. Diaco's second save came on a point-blank shot by Shearin with 16 seconds left in overtime. Gollands was able to force a turnover on the clear attempt and then quickly beat the clock with the game winner, his 31st of the season.

Along with Gollands' four tallies, Shearin collected two goals and an assist. Senior Bryan Huff (Hillsborough, NJ), junior Jeff Sciera (DeWitt, NY) and freshmen Matthew Gold (Pittsford, NY) and Mark Nortz (Lowville, NY) rounded out the Clarkson goal scorers.

Perlow finished with three goals and an assist to lead Skidmore.

The Thoroughbreds outshot the Knights 50-47 and held a 38-32 edge in ground balls. Cole posted 17 saves, while sophomore defenseman Rick Clement (Cotuit, MA) had six ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Clarkson, which stands at 8-4 overall and 2-3 in the Liberty League, hosts second-ranked Cortland State next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the final regular season home game at Hantz Turf Field.