For immediate release – 3/30/2016 - #277
WildCats Push #19 Roanoke to the Limit

SALEM, VA – The Randolph College men's lacrosse team gave #19 Roanoke College all it could handle on Wednesday night, but the Maroons edged out the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) victory by a score of 11-7.

The WildCats came out of the gates with a great period.  The 'Cats had the first opportunity but it was stopped.  The hosts would not be so fortunate the next time, as the usual duo connected early on.  Andrew Risse came from behind the crease and found Andrew Gleitz on the doorstep.  Gleitz finished for the 1-0 lead.  Randolph won the next faceoff, and Shane Soghomonian made the lead 2-0 before six minutes had come off the clock.

Roanoke responded after causing a turnover.  The Maroons fired several shots near the cage, until Kevin Jackson finally tallied to bring the hosts within one.  Roanoke kept up the attack, but the WildCats scooped up a ground ball and had a successful clear.  Baden James picked one up and found Mitch MacDonald.  MacDonald went left and fired it into the back of the net with 6:19 of the first to take a 3-1 lead.

Cam Davis and Spencer Matthews made sure the lead stayed that way the rest of the period.  Matthews forced a turnover, while Davis made three stops.  James then forced one to start the second, but the Maroons got the ball back.  Roanoke came within one again as Will Pilat tallied with 13:09 left in the second.

However, Soghomonian would not let that stand long.  After winning the next faceoff by way of a violation, the 'Cats used a long possession to get a good shot.  Soghomonian used his speed and put Randolph up 4-2, with 11:08 left.  The Maroons came back with a large run, tallying three straight to take the lead.

Davis stopped four shots during the run, which allowed the 'Cats the opportunity to tie the score.  Once again, the duo stepped up again as Risse found Gleitz with only 1:57 left.

The hosts came out of the intermission firing on all cylinders.  Roanoke went on a four-goal run during the third, despite six more saves by Davis.

The defenses started out very strong in the fourth.  Davis made another stop, while a turnover was caused by each side, including one by Matthews.  Finally, at the 11:45 mark, Ryan Campbell fired one in the back of the cage to bring Randolph within three.  However, the hosts scored two quick ones to take an 11-6 advantage.  Corey Nehlig fired one in, near the end of regulation, but it would not be enough for the 'Cats.

Davis made a season-high 18 stops for the WildCats.  James and Matthews each forced two turnovers, while picking up five and six ground balls respectively.  Anthony Hardy corralled three, while winning seven of his attempts at the 'X'.

Tyler McWilliams led the Roanoke (8-3 overall, 3-0 ODAC) with a hat trick.

Randolph (7-3, 1-2) will have a week until its next game.  The WildCats will remain on the road, heading to Greensboro College (3-10) next Wednesday for a 3:30 p.m. start.

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