An early four-goal lead was not enough for the Clarkson University Lacrosse team to hold off Rensselaer in Liberty League action at Hantz Turf Field on Saturday afternoon as the Engineers scored the game's final four goals to pull out a 9-8 overtime victory on the road.

The Golden Knights, led by a balanced offensive effort with two goals each by juniors Jack Dowst (Weare, NH) and Matt Gold (Pittsford, NY) and freshman Ryan St. Croix (Camillus, NY), controlled the play early against Rensselaer. Juniors Corey Herrington (Camillus, NY) and Mark Nortz (Lowville, NY) added one goal apiece.

The Green and Gold jumped out to a 2-0 first-quarter lead on goals by Ryan St. Croix and Dowst midway through the period and built the margin to 4-0 on early second-quarter goals by Gold and Dowst. Rensselaer got on the scoreboard with a goal by Liam Mennig with 8:05 remaining in the quarter. The Knights and Engineers traded two goals apiece later in the first half to close out the opening 45 minutes with Clarkson holding a 6-3 advantage.

RPI and Clarkson both scored twice in the third quarter to keep it a three-goal game through 45 minutes with the Knights holding the 8-5 lead.

Scott Grow started the final four-goal burst for Rensselaer with 11:38 left in the fourth. RPI then tied the game with two late goals in the quarter. Casey Colligan pulled the visitors within one with 1:55 remaining in regulation and goaltender Alex Castronovo tied the game with just 11 seconds left in the fourth with an underhand shot from 15 yards out.

Aaron Shavel completed the comeback with the game winner on a hard low shot from 25 yards out at 1:12 of sudden-victory overtime for his game-high third goal of the day.

Both teams had 35 shots, while Rensselaer held a slight 26-25 advantage in ground balls. Castronovo made 14 saves along with scoring the tying goal to record the victory in the Engineer's goal. Junior Harrison Washuta (Maple Grove, MN) finished with 13 stops for Clarkson.

Rensselaer, which was not called for a penalty in the game, made the most of its man-up opportunities, going 2-of-2 with the extra man as Shavel scored both goals.

Sophomore Ben Paprocki (Baldwinsville, NY) scooped up four ground balls for the Knights.

Clarkson at 4-3 overall and 0-2 in the Liberty League, plays a non-league game at Oswego State on Tuesday. Rensselaer, which improved to 6-2, 2-0, plays at conference foe Skidmore on Wednesday.