Towson High lacrosse players develop a visceral disgust for losing.

Eastern Tech's first-year coach Barry Heddings, a 1993 Towson graduate, described it as "a real bad feeling" after yesterday's 9-8 loss at Baltimore County Division I-rival Towson.

Towson senior Gavin Kimball and junior teammate Ben DeFelice knew that feeling last season, when Chad Roeder coached Eastern Tech to its first win over the Generals, 7-4.

But it was one of five losses which motivated then-first-year Generals coach Ben Berquist, a 1988 Towson graduate, to last spring's Class 1A-2A state runner-up finish.

That loss motivated Berquist's Generals again yesterday, as they overcame a three-goal third-period deficit.

"Last year, we tried to come back from 4-0 and couldn't do it," DeFelice said. "But today, we dug in and pulled it out. We wanted it real bad."

DeFelice's fourth goal tied the game at 8-all with 1: 28 to play, setting up Kimball's feed to Mike Rice for the game-clinching score with 39 seconds remaining.

With Towson down 8-6 and 4: 05 left, Kimball's second goal brought the Generals within 8-7.

"There were a bunch of people in front of the goal, but I got the ball, tucked it, and got in front of the goalie," Kimball said. "I don't think he knew I had it, so I wrapped it around his body and in."

Heddings was encouraged by his Mavericks' team play. Only one of their goals was unassisted.

Nate Andrew scored three times and assisted on another goal, Brian Johnson scored and had three assists, Justin Combs had two goals and an assist, and Matt Cougle scored once for the Mavericks (7-4 overall, 5-2 league).

Towson (7-2, 5-2) got goals off only one of its first four extra-man opportunities against defenders Chris Markle, Matt Alt, Ryan Kahl and Steve Brezenski. But the Generals capitalized on their final three extra-man situations.

With Friday's game against Hereford looming, Heddings remained concerned whether the Mavericks -- who start only two seniors -- could break the habit of blowing leads.

"This isn't the first time we've been winning and let games slip away. Fallston, North Harford, Dulaney -- same thing," Heddings said.

"This game meant a lot to me personally, but it's still only one game. We have to learn not to lose this way, because when you do, the feeling's worse than getting blown out, really."

Down 3-1 with 3: 19 left in the first half, the Mavericks reeled off five unanswered goals for a 6-3 lead with 9: 10 left in the third period.

Pub Date: 5/05/99