For Immediate Release – 4/16/16 - #311
'Cats Come From Behind for Big ODAC Win

BRIDGEWATER, VA – The Randolph College men's lacrosse team scored the last two goals of the game, to secure a come-from-behind 11-10 victory over Bridgewater College on Saturday.  The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) win helps keep Randolph in the running for a tournament berth which starts at the beginning of May.

The Eagles got the scoring started three minutes into the game, however it would not be long until the WIldCats tied the game.  The 'Cats pressured BC goalie Andrew Buss, until Andrew Risse did what he's done so many times.  He found Andrew Gleitz on the doorstep to tie the game.  Randolph won the next faceoff, and while Buss stopped the first shot he faced, he was not so lucky on the second.  Risse got his first of the game to give the WildCats the lead.

The two teams traded possessions, but neither team could get on the board, as Cam Davis and Buss made saves.  Finally, the Eagles tied the score with 4:37 left in the period.  However, just over a minute later, Graham Southwick beat Buss to retake the lead before the end of the first.

Both offenses struggled to hold onto the ball at the start of the second, until the Eagles finally attempted a shot.  Once again, Davis was there for the save.  While, the WildCats were not successful on that possession, they were on the following one.  Shane Soghomonian found Mitch MacDonald out wide, and MacDonald ripped it into the back of the net.

Unfortunately, BC followed it with two quick goals to the tie the game once more.  However, the 'Cats regained momentum shortly after.  Ryan Campbell found the back of the net after a successful clear, and Southwick added his second of the day two minutes later.  But Bridgewater grabbed one back, with just under a minute, bringing the WildCats lead to 6-5 at the half.

The Eagles tied the score shortly after the start of the second half, but Randolph took it back, thanks to some timely defense.  McKinzie Garnett forced a turnover which led to a successful clear.  Risse then found Soghomonian, who scored for the WildCats.  But the back and forth action would continue.

Bridgewater came back with two goals in just over two minutes to take the lead.  While, the Eagles won the following faceoff, Prince Charles forced a turnover, getting the ball back for Randolph.  After the offense worked the ball around, MacDonald fired one home to tie the score again.  Less than 30 seconds later, Soghomonian found Risse, who gave Randolph the lead back right before the end of the third.

However, the momentum ended at the beginning of the fourth.  Over the first five minutes, BC tallied two goals to retake the advantage with 10:58 remaining.  On the following faceoff, the Eagles got the ball, but Caleb Shockley knocked it out of the stick of one Bridgewater's players, giving the ball to the 'Cats.  Corey Nehlig then made a small drive and found Risse on the top left.  Risse cranked his stick back and tied the score at 10-apiece.

The WildCats continued to pressure to try and earn the win.  Finally, with 5:01 on the clock, Campbell drove to the left side, spun back right and fired it by Buss to take the lead.  Bridgewater pressed for another goal, but it was to no avail as Randolph earned the 11-10 win.

Risse led the team with five points and added three ground balls.  Matthews, Charles, Southwick, Garnett, and Alex Leyva all picked up three ground balls as well.  Buss made 11 saves in the loss for the Eagles (6-7 overall, 1-5 ODAC).

Randolph (8-6, 2-4) will have a week off before its next game.  The WildCats will host Virginia Wesleyan College (8-4, 2-3) in the first game of a lacrosse doubleheader.  It will also serve as Senior Day, where the 'Cats will honor their six seniors.  The first faceoff is set for 1 p.m.

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