Salisbury, Md. -- For the first time since 2003, the University of Lynchburg men's lacrosse team earned a hard-fought road victory against Salisbury, 14-11, on Saturday afternoon at SeaGull Stadium.

The No. 15/15 Hornets (3-0) handed the No. 2/2 SeaGulls (4-1) their first loss at home in the regular season since 2019. Lynchburg has won a road bout against Salisbury on just one other occasion 23 years ago, claiming a 13-12 victory on April 10, 2003. Additionally, the Hornets secured their first win against the SeaGulls since 2021, where they won at home, 10-8.

Today's three-goal victory is the second-largest win differential against SU in program history, the largest of which was in the 2015 regular season when Lynchburg defeated Salisbury by five goals, 12-7. Later in that season 11 years ago, the Hornets took down the SeaGulls again in the NCAA tournament en route to a national championship appearance.

Riley Hastings tallied a team-leading four-point performance and surpassed 200 points for his collegiate career. With 202 points, he solidified himself into the top-10 in program history for points.

Through the first three quarters of today's affair, neither side led by more than three goals. This matchup saw the score tied on five moments where the score was tied and three instances of lead changes. The Hornets broke open the contest in the third and fourth quarters, producing a run of five straight goals and holding SU scoreless for a 17:02-stretch.

Although the SeaGulls scored first to open the contest, Lynchburg responded quickly and owned a 3-2 edge after 15 minutes. The Hornets increased their lead to as many as three goals, 6-3, in the second period. Salisbury scored two more times before the end of the first half and the squads went into the intermission with UofL ahead, 6-5. The SeaGulls scored back-to-back goals to open the second half, then the two sides traded blows as the scored showed an 8-7 lead for SU with 10:17 to go in the third quarter before Lynchburg's five-goal rally.

Salisbury mounted a comeback effort in the fourth quarter, scoring three consecutive goals to come within one, 12-11, with 3:50 to go, but the Hornets stayed composed to hold on, scoring twice more in the final minute of regulation.

Will Rubley and Liam Holman were key contributors offensively, adding three points apiece. Rubley netted a hat trick on just four shots while Holman dished out an assist and scored twice. Cole Oprandi notched a brace and Spencer Vandenberg produced one goal and one assist to round out Lynchburg players with multi-point performances. Parker Sealey, Kaden Hinchey, and Matej Roth chipped in a goal apiece.

Eric Allen was a stud between the pipes today, stopping a career-high 15 shots. He totaled nine saves in the first half and had three stops in each of the third and fourth quarters. Kylar Mahoney led the defensive unit with three caused turnovers and three ground balls. Jake Morales forced two turnovers and grabbed four GBs. At the X, Riley Frankel went 12-for-27, nine of which came in the first half. 

The Hornets return home for their next contest against RV Denison on Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m. on Shellenberger Field.

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