Ferrum, Va. -- Kyle Lewis tallied four goals and three assists, Charlie Evans had a hat trick in his collegiate debut, and the No. 6-ranked University of Lynchburg men's lacrosse team rumbled to a 25-1 season-opening rout of Ferrum Saturday afternoon on the road.

Fourteen different Hornets scored in the contest, and the defense shone as well. Lynchburg held the Panthers to just nine shots and forced 29 Ferrum turnovers.

Lewis got the party started for Lynchburg with the Hornets' first two goals, and he assisted Ryan Kenney's score for a 3-0 lead midway through the first. Kenney added Lynchburg's next goal, contributing to a 6-0 advantage after a quarter. Michael Kraus' hot face-off play also helped; the sophomore went 13-for-14 at the X.

The Hornets blew the game open with nine second-quarter goals, including two scored and two more assisted by Lewis. Jake Rust also found the back of the net twice in the stanza.

Evans spearheaded the Hornet attack in the second half, scoring all three of his goals after the break.

Six more Hornets – Kenney, Logan Lamon, Ian McCarthy, Jake Rust, Riley Schmidt, and Logan Zimnoch – enjoyed multi-goal games. Long-stick midfielders Chris Darminio (four ground balls, two caused turnovers) and Darren Palma (three GB, three CT) led the way for the defensive unit.

Lynchburg (1-0, 1-0 Old Dominion Athletic Conference) has won its ODAC opener each year since 2011. The Hornets will look to have that same success outside of conference play next Saturday, February 19, when Greensboro pays a visit to Shellenberger Field for a 1 p.m. start.

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--LYN--