BLUE HOSE NOTCH FIRST DEEP SOUTH VICTORY WITH 13-12 WIN OVER LEES-McRAE
CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College men’s lacrosse team overcame a 6-4 halftime deficit and outscored Lees-McRae College, 5-1, in the fourth quarter en route to the Blue Hose’s 13-12 win over the Bobcats in Old Bailey Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Today’s victory also marks the program’s first-ever win in the Deep South Conference (DSC) as this is PC’s inaugural varsity season. The win improves the Blue Hose’s record to 2-3 overall and 1-3 in the DSC, while Lees-McRae drops to 0-5 on the year and 0-4 in conference play.
Sophomore attacker Tim Cassios (St. Albert, Alberta) helped lift PC pass the Bobcats as he knotted the game at 12-12 at 2:55 off an assist by fellow classmate Jared Domino (St. Albert, Alberta) and then tallied the game-winner just 36 seconds later on a man-up opportunity with freshman midfielder William Hackett (Nesbit, Miss.) assisting on the goal.
In the first quarter, Lees-McRae outscored the Blue Hose, 3-1, as the Bobcats received two goals and an assist from junior midfielder Tyler Stieber (Charlotte, N.C.). The second frame was dead even as both teams scored three goals each but Lees-McRae went into the locker room with a 6-4 halftime lead.
The Bobcats edged PC, 5-4 in the third period as freshman attacker Neil Sleight (Williamsburg, Va.) picked up a pair of goals. The Blue Hose dominated the fourth quarter, 5-1, as Cassios and Domino each recorded two goals apiece.
PC out shot Lees-McRae, 51-28, and won the ground ball war 50 to 34. The Blue Hose were 20-of-28 on face-offs as sophomore midfielder Walton Crosby (Jacksonville, Fla.) was 17-of-23.
Domino had an impressive all-around game for PC as he finished the day with six goals and four assists and scooped up five ground balls. Freshman midfielder Billy Rinaldi (Birmingham, Ala.) had a hat trick plus an assist, while Cassios finished with two goals and two assists and Crosby led the team with nine ground balls. Freshman goalie David Hetu (Apex, N.C.) played all 60 minutes in goal, making six saves.
Five different players scored for the Bobcats with freshman attacker Kirk Rogers (Casselberry, Fla.) leading the way with four goals. Stieber finished with a pair and four assists, while Sleight ended the day with a hat trick. Freshman attacker Jason Schafhauser (Winston-Salem, N.C.) contributed two and two along with six loose ball pick-ups, while freshman defender Caner Newton (Wilmington, N.C.) had a game-high 10 ground balls. Sophomore Adam Canoy (Durham, N.C.) made 22 saves in the loss.
The Blue Hose’s next opponent will be DSC opponent, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, on Saturday at 2:00 in Laurinburg, N.C. Lees-McRae will host Dominican (N.Y.) College on March 12 as well at noon.