For immediate release – 4/2/2016 - #432
Stevenson Edges Lynchburg Men's Lacrosse 10-9

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Lynchburg College men's lacrosse team fought valiantly but was unable to upset #15 Stevenson University, falling 10-9 in non-conference action at home on Saturday night.

The Hornets and Mustangs traded goals much of the game, with seven ties occurring throughout the contest.  Lynchburg's Austin Stewart got things started by scoring three unassisted goals within the game's first 16 minutes.  Dane Angell added another during that time to help LC gain a 4-2 advantage by the beginning of the second period.  Stevenson brought it back to four goals apiece until Hornet freshman Evan Lombardo ripped one into the cage off a pass from Joey Giannaras on an extra man opportunity.  Giannaras scored one himself three minutes prior to the halftime break, but Stevenson's timely responses after both goals resulted in a 6-6 split at intermission.

Senior Aaron Murphy scored on a left-handed diving attempt coming from behind the goal to give LC another one-goal edge, but a three-goal run from the visitors with the help of a 5-5 faceoff effort in the third quarter gave the Mustangs a 9-7 lead heading into the final fifteen minutes.

As the fourth period began, Lynchburg took advantage of two man-up occasions with goals in the comeback effort by Murphy and Lombardo to even the game once again.  But the Mustangs' Kyle Karsian scored the game's final goal with 10:21 left to play to break the 9-9 tie.  SU thwarted numerous Hornet opportunities late in the game as Lynchburg did its best to stay alive.

Stevenson (6-4) won seven of eight faceoff attempts in the second half and scooped up 10 more groundballs than the Hornets (37-27).  Stephen Banick paced the Mustangs with two goals and three assists.  Dom DeFazio caused five turnovers and collected five ground balls to lead the defensive effort.

Murphy scored a team-high four points on two goals and two assists.  Goalkeeper Chris Hawley made 13 tough saves throughout the competition, a number of them right on the crease.

Lynchburg moves to 5-6 on the season and will return to Old Dominion Athletic Conference competition for the remainder of the year next Saturday at 3 p.m. at Roanoke College.