For immediate release – 3/19/2016 - #260
Defensive Battle Holds Down WildCats

ASHLAND, VA – The Randolph College men's lacrosse team played Randolph-Macon College in a tight Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) affair on Saturday.  The low-scoring game, saw the hosts emerge victorious, 6-3.

Both defenses shined right from the get go, setting the tone for the whole rain-soaked afternoon.  Cam Davis and his counterpart, Brian Davies, each made early stops.  Baden James followed the impressive goaltending displays with a caused turnover, however his was answered by one from the Yellow Jackets.  But James came back with one more.

Finally at 8:22 of the first, the 'Cats were awarded an extra-man opportunity.  Andrew Risse found Mitch MacDonald, as he rocketed it home for the 1-0 lead.  James won the ensuing faceoff, but the WildCats lost possession on a caused turnover.  R-MC used that to their advantage, as Ryan Davidson tied the score with 5:43 remaining.  The rest of the period looked the same as the first couple of minutes, keeping the score tied at one entering the second.

Once again, goals were difficult to come by, especially with the play of Davis.  The Randolph goalie stopped three successive shots early in the second.  However, after he stopped his fourth of the period, the Yellow Jackets retained possession, and Lee Pratt tallied off a pass from Davidson.

The teams continued to go back and forth, which forced Davies to make a couple of saves.  Unfortunately, R-MC scored two quick ones in succession, giving Randolph-Macon a 4-1 lead going into the half.

The three-goal deficit would not last long though, as the WildCats saw the back of the net early.  Graham Southwick maneuvered his way to a goal at the 14:00, cutting the disadvantage.  The 'Cats kept on the offensive, but Davies saved three more attempts.  R-MC turned the last save into a successful clear, which saw Miles Muncie put the Yellow Jackets up by three.

Davis and Davies were up to the task the rest of the period, allowing nothing to get by them, as the two teams would go into the fourth with the hosts leading 5-2.

Randolph had the first three shots of the final period, but could not get the ball into the back of the cage.  Randolph-Macon brought the ball down and fired on goal several more times, with Davis making two key saves.  However, at the 8:31 mark, Coleman Adams found the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Risse scored off a Southwick assist, but the WildCats could not find another one over the remaining minutes.

Davis led the 'Cats with 13 saves and five ground balls.  Spencer Matthews and Ian DiSesa also scooped up five, while DiSesa went 6-8 at the 'X'.  James added three ground balls and three caused turnovers in the game.

Alex Camilliere led the Yellow Jackets (2-6 overall, 1-1 ODAC) with two goals.  Davies earned the win after stopping 10 shots.

Randolph (6-2, 1-1) returns home on Wednesday.  The WildCats will host Ferrum College (4-6), with the first faceoff set for 7 p.m.

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