Pikesville, Md. -- The University of Lynchburg men's lacrosse team fell to Hamilton 16-15 on Saturday afternoon at the Mustang Classic.
Jake Rust scored six goals for the second time this season totaling a career-high eight points, Tyler Hadley made seven saves, and Dom Zingo caused two turnovers.
The Hornets and Continentals combined for nine goals in the first quarter, and Lynchburg held the advantage 6-3. Riley Mitchell netted his first goal of the season to start the game for either side, and Rust and Dylan Wolfe both scored twice in the opening 15 minutes. Wolfe ended the day with three goals and three assists.
Lynchburg led by as many as four in the first half, but the Continentals erased the deficit and tied the game up 9-9 just three seconds before halftime.
Both sides put together scoring runs in the third quarter, but Hamilton's was longer and more timely. Rust, Wolfe, and Mitchell scored back-to-back-to-back to give Lynchburg a 12-10 lead, but Hamilton responded with four consecutive scores to build a two-point lead of its own.
Two freshmen stepped up for Lynchburg in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 14 as Cam Ash and Cole Oprandi both netted their second goals of the year. However, less than a minute after the Hornet neophytes knotted the game up, Hamilton retook the lead for good.
Trailing by two with 2:39 to play, Rust scored his sixth goal of the game to bring Lynchburg within one. Hamilton won the ensuing faceoff and took a shot on target with 1:05 left to play which Hadley stopped and corralled. Lynchburg successfully cleared the midfield line where Rust and Mitchell both got shots off. Mitchell's shot was saved, ending Lynchburg's chance at the comeback as the Continentals secured possession.
The Hornets (3-3) are ranked 12th in the USILA poll and take on No. 5 Christopher Newport on Saturday, March 23 at 6 p.m. in Newport News, Va.
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