John Wagner did it again.
The junior attackman scored his fourth game-winning goal of the season Saturday to beat St. John’s 11-10 in overtime on the road.
Wagner’s 19th goal of the season came after senior goalie Cole Blazer made two key saves, and Marquette cleared possession. Marquette (5-4, 2-1 in BIG EAST) is now 20-7 in program history and 4-1 this season in one-goal games.
While it was the ending Marquette wanted, it was not easy getting there. The Golden Eagles clawed back from a two-goal deficit late in the fourth quarter with goals coming from Jack Zerrillo and Connor McClelland, who tied the game at 10-10 with 6:09 remaining. Zerrillo’s goal with 7:29 remaining in the game stopped a 4-goal run by the Red Storm. Zerillo finished with a career-high three goals.
Senior Zachary Melillo’s play at the faceoff circle helped Marquette overcome the early deficit. He proved why he’s the program’s all-time leader in faceoff wins, grabbing 18 of 24 faceoffs from the X. Marquette’s aggressiveness in ground balls led to a 32-22 advantage over the Red Storm.
The Golden Eagles committed five penalties, had 15 turnovers and went just 1-for-6 on the extra man advantage despite the victory.
St. John’s (6-5, 0-2 in BIG EAST), had chances to close out Marquette in the fourth quarter and overtime period following three second-half goals from Joe Madsen and Collin Duffy. However, Blazer’s 16 total saves helped Marquette complete the comeback.
Marquette will face Notre Dame Wednesday night at Valley Fields, the first night game at Valley Fields in program history. Faceoff is slated for 6 p.m.
