For immediate release – 3/23/2016 - #264
Soghomonian Wins it Incredible Fashion Once Again

LYNCHBURG, VA – For the second time this year, Shane Soghomonian scored a game-winning goal for the Randolph College men's lacrosse team.  This time it helped the WildCats defeat Ferrum College 11-10 in overtime on Wednesday night. 

The nail-biting win was also the first win for the WildCats in six attempts against the Panthers.  It saw the 'Cats score twice in the last 44 seconds of regulation to tie the game.

Ferrum took control of the game in the first period, as CJ Asmus scored less than a minute in.  Following several attempts on goal, including one stopped by Cam Davis, the Panthers added to their advantage with 10:43 remaining.

However, the WildCats responded shortly after.  After a successful clear, Andrew Gleitz hit the post with his shot, but the 'Cats retained possession.  Kadri Hearns then sent a rocket into the back of the net to cut the deficit to one.  FC responded on the other end, as Kyle Lister and Frank Boxley scored back to back goals.

Down 4-1, the WildCats wenton their largest run of the game.  With a man-advantage, Corey Nehlig caught a pass from Mitch MacDonald and ripped it into the back of cage with 1:32 left in the first.  Ferrum had the first opportunity of the second, but a turnover gave the ball back to the hosts.  Andrew Risse made a nice pass from behind the crease to MacDonald and he finished to bring Randolph within one.  Three minutes later, the same duo worked in a similar fashion to tie the game with 10:30 remaining.  Hearns scored on the next possession, giving the 'Cats their first lead of the night.

At that point, the Panthers switched goalies, but it was the Randolph goalie who was tested next.  Davis once again made a stop, and following a successful clear, the WildCats fired several attempts on the net, but none connected.  Finally, Gleitz scored off of a pass from Ryan Campbell to go up two with 5:59 remaining.  Unfortunately, Tyler Poage brought Ferrrum back within one two minutes later.  The score would remain 6-5 entering the break.

The Panthers controlled almost all of third period.  The visitors tallied three-straight goals in the third (four overall) to take back a two-goal advantage.  However, with only 1.3 second on the clock, Risse found MacDonald one more time to cut the deficit to one entering the fourth period.

The disadvantage would not last long in the fourth, as Brett Pausic hit Graham Southwick with a pass about 10 yards out.  Southwick let one rip to tie the score at eight with 13:17 on the clock.  The two defenses picked up play over the next nine minutes as neither team could find the back of the net.  The WildCats were called for a stall warning at 4:00 minutes, but the shot was saved by Koby McMahon.  Ferrum used the fast break to retake the lead at 3:49.  One minute later, Ryan Tesler added to the lead and set up the late heroics.

The Panthers turned it over on the ensuing possession.  After several drives were made, Southwick drove right and had no angle, but he wrapped the shot around the back of his head to score with 44 seconds left.  Anthony Hardy won the following faceoff as Spencer Matthews picked up the loose ball.  Then with 12 seconds on the clock, Risse made a pass across the crease.  Gleitz was on the receiving end and he tied it.

The overtime saw each team get an early opportunity, but both McMahon and Matt Lindenbaum stopped the shots.  After the FC shot, the Panthers got the ball back, but Prince Charles forced a massive turnover, giving the ball back to Randolph with just over a minute left.

The WildCats called a timeout and Soghomonian drove around from behind the goal.  He went low with only five seconds on the clock, and scored, winning the game 11-10.

Davis and Lindenbaum combined for nine saves and seven ground balls.  Baden James and Matthews each forced two turnovers while picking up 10 total ground balls.  Risse led the team with four assists, while MacDonald had the high of three goals.

McMahon finished with 12 saves in the loss.  Cody Cooper led Ferrum (4-7 overall) with 16 wins at the 'X'.

Randolph (7-2) gets a week off until its next game.  The WildCats travel to #17 Roanoke College (7-2) on Wednesday for an Old Dominion Athletic Conference game that begins at 7 p.m.

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