Slow Start Hinders LAX at Randolph

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Randolph College men's lacrosse team held visiting Mitchell College to four goals and 25 shots as the WildCats set a school record for wins in a season with a 9-4 victory Saturday from WildCat Stadium in non-conference action.

Randolph (2-3 overall) busted out of the starting gates, outscoring the Mariners (0-2 overall) 6-0 over the first 17 minutes of play. Colton Wood opened the scoring with an unassisted tally with 7:49 left in the first quarter to put Randolph up 1-0. The goal was quickly followed by a Jon O'Hara tally at 5:21.

The WildCats netted two goals in the last 36 seconds of the first quarter, one coming from John Croney and the other from Josh Borgelt. Wood notched his second of the game 1:11 into the second quarter with help from Bobby Crosby. Crosby would set up the next goal as well, a man-up tally from Croney to make the score 6-0.

Mitchell finally got on the board with 1:15 left in the half, as freshman Jordan Cook scored his first of three straight goals for the Mariners. After halftime, Cook finished back-to-back goals, separated by 1:02 of game time, to pull Mitchell to within three at 6-3. Randolph would respond with consecutive goals of its own, as Crosby scored unassisted and Wood finished a pass from John Grundy to push the Randolph advantage to 8-3 going into the fourth.

Wood finished the scoring for Randolph at 12:12 of the fourth quarter with an unassisted goal, sealing the win for the WildCats. Randolph got four scores from Wood, while Crosby dished out a game-high three helpers. The story was the WildCats' face-off dominance, as Grundy won 11 of 15 face-offs. He also corralled a game-high 10 ground balls.

Goalie Kevin McCracken wasn't tested as much Saturday, but was there when called upon making 11 saves. Ryan Pearson had a monster game of six caused turnovers and five ground balls, while fellow defender Ryan Blackwell continued his all-conference caliber year with seven ground balls.

Defender Justin Baker chalked up four caused turnovers for Randolph, which outshot Mitchell 34-25 on the contest. The WildCats also won the ground ball battle 46-31 and were successful on 24-of-26 clear attempts, thanks to the bruising effort from Anthony Mangano. The 'Cats special teams were superb as well, holding Mitchell to no extra-man goals in eight chances, while scoring two man-up goals in seven opportunities.

Cook finished with three goals for the Mariners, while sophomore Demetre Lyras picked up a goal and an assist. Keeper Lane Markel made seven saves in his collegiate debut.

Mitchell will   n ext play at Ferrum College on Wednesday, March 14 at 3:30 p.m.