LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph men's lacrosse team hosted Averett in their home opener on Saturday afternoon at WildCat Stadium. The WildCats took an early 4-0 lead on their way to an 8-4 victory.
Randolph evens its record at 1-1. Averett drops to 0-3 on the season.
The WildCats got on the board quickly as Sean Landis (Williamsburg, Va./Lafayette) scored 33 seconds into the first quarter. It was 2-0 'Cats when Gage Tutko (Manassas, Va./Osbourn)assisted Jack Dolan (Dumfries, Va./Potomac) 44 seconds later and Randolph was ahead 2-0.
Tate Smith (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis) tallied a goal with under eight minutes to play in the opening quarter. Landis then assisted Jake Helsley (Midlothian, Va./Trinity Episcopal) on his score at 6:11.
It was a scoreless second quarter as Randolph held its 4-0 advantage at halftime. The Cougars got on the scoreboard at the 13:29 mark of the third quarter. Goals by Dolan and Smith upped the WildCat lead to 6-1 with 9:50 to play in the third period. Two Averett goals closed the visitors to 6-3. Tyler Johnson (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) scored with 18 seconds remaining to put Randolph ahead 7-3 going into the final quarter of play.
Averett got to within three of the WildCats close to the midway point of the fourth quarter. Dolan got it back for Randolph as he put the 'Cats ahead 8-4 with 4:46 remaining to play. The Cougars were stymied by the Randolph defense as the WildCats caused three turnovers in the final three minutes to prevent an Averett comeback.
Randolph held a commanding 34-16 advantage in total shots. The Wildcats had 20 shots on goal to six for Averett. Ground balls were in Randolph's favor.
Dolan led the 'Cats with three goals. Smith finished with two. Johnson, Landis, and Helsley all had one. James Greenfield (Woodbridge, Va./Hilton) picked up five ground balls and caused two turnovers. Zach Miller (Louisa, Va./Fork Union Military Academy) also scooped up five ground balls while winning all 12 of his faceoffs. CJ Berry (Fredericksburg, Va./Massaponax) had a team-best three caused turnovers.
Corey Boswell (Stafford, Va./Brooke Point) got the win in goal for the 'Cats. He had two saves.
The WildCats are home again this coming Monday as they host SUNY Delhi. Game time will be at 5:00 p.m.
