Lynchburg, Va. -- The No. 16-ranked University of Lynchburg men's lacrosse team opened the 2019 season with a hard-fought 11-9 loss against the No. 2 Salisbury Sea Gulls on Saturday.

The Hornets fought back from an 8-1 halftime deficit to make a game of it at the end, but Salisbury's defense held in the waning minutes.

Junior midfielder Kevin Rogers (Leesburg, Va.) had a strong start to the season with four goals, two assists, and two ground balls. Senior attackman Logan Adams (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) also had an impressive day with three goals, two assists, and two ground balls. Junior attackman Colin Dean (Havre de Grace, Md.) and senior attackman Evan Lombardo (Franklin Park, NJ) each picked up a goal of their own.

THE RUNDOWN

Final: No. 2 Salisbury 11, No. 16 Lynchburg 9

Records: No. 2 Salisbury 2-0, No. 16 Lynchburg 0-1

Venue: Shellenberger Field, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lynchburg struggled against Salisbury in the first half, the Hornets only managing to score one goal from Rogers in the first quarter. Salisbury found offensive rhythm early and often en route an 8-1 lead halftime.

• The Hornets turned on the heat in the third and started gaining ground. Adams scored his first goal, assisted by sophomore midfielder A.J. Nieves (Centreville, Va.), with 2 minutes in the quarter and then quickly assisted Lombardo only seconds left in the period.

• Lynchburg's defense shut out Salisbury in the fourth as the Hornets' offense stormed back into the game. Rogers and Adams each scored twice, the latter's second goal with 2:32 to play cutting the deficit to 11-9. Lynchburg could claw no further, however, and the game ended in that score.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Hornets will play their first away game of 2019 Saturday, Feb. 16 at noon against the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats in Lancaster, Pa.

--LYN--