Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Contact: Christopher Kilcoyne / Sports Information Director
(804) 752-7387, christopherkilcoyne@rmc.edu

R-MC Falls 12-9 to H-SC in ODAC Men's Lacrosse Battle
(Box Score)

Hampden-Sydney, Va. - Randolph-Macon led 9-8 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter, but Hampden-Sydney outscored the Yellow Jackets 5-1 in the final 19 minutes of regulation as the Tigers grabbed a 12-9 ODAC win.

The contest, which was tied five times, possessed all the features of a rivalry game. Both teams entered the contest with something to prove. R-MC was seeking its first conference win of the 2009 season, while H-SC sought revenge for the Yellow Jackets' 11-9 victory on the last day of the 2008 regular season - a win which catapulted R-MC into the ODAC Tournament and eliminated H-SC from playoff contention.

The Yellow Jackets grabbed a quick 1-0 lead as freshman Brian Rowe netted a goal just 39 seconds after the opening whistle. The Tigers answered on the ensuing faceoff, as H-SC's Thomas Hovis won the draw, raced down the field, and fed Andrew Mahoney for a quick finish. Less than one minute later, R-MC freshman Patrick Egan registered an unassisted goal to give the Jackets a 2-1 lead with 13:31 remaining in the first quarter. H-SC answered again, as midfielder Cole Hawthorne netted a goal 1:34 later. R-MC freshman Kevin Patton registered his first of two goals with 8:04 remaining in the opening quarter, sending a shot into the back of the Tiger cage. The Tigers tallied a tying goal before the close of the first stanza.

Egan scored his second goal of the day to open the second quarter, giving R-MC a 4-3 lead with 14:25 remaining in the first half. However, H-SC attackman Micah Keller registered two goals and one assist to power a 4-0 Tiger run that gave the home team a 7-4 lead at halftime.

The Yellow Jackets emerged from the break firing on all cylinders. R-MC netted four goals in the first 10:09 of the half. Sophomore Connor Barnes opened the second half scoring as he sent a shot past H-SC goalie Mark Bagby. Freshman Tyler Midwinter netted his first goal of the contest 26 seconds later to pull the Yellow Jackets within one goal. Kevin Patton tied the game with 6:53 remaining in the quarter on a goal assisted by Jake Leddy. R-MC took an 8-7 lead 2:03 later as Egan fed senior Rich Wilkens, who deposited the go-ahead goal.

H-SC's Micah Keller again responded to the R-MC lead, tallying the next three goals of the contest to give the Tigers a 10-8 lead. Hampden-Sydney's Andrew Mahoney added two more to build a 12-8 lead with 8:19 remaining in regulation. Midwinter's goal with 40 seconds remaining was the only scoring R-MC could generate in the final minutes.

R-MC goalkeeper Adam Liberto turned in a strong performance, tallying 18 saves on the day. H-SC goalie Mark Bagby registered 10 saves.

H-SC's Micah Keller led all scorers with five goals and two assists, while teammate Andrew Mahoney tallied three goals and two assists. Patrick Egan led the Yellow Jacket scoring with two goals and two assists, while R-MC's Kevin Patton and Tyler Midwinter each netted two goals. Rich Wilkens, Connor Barnes, and Brian Rowe also registered goals.

The Yellow Jackets move to 4-4 (0-2 ODAC), while the Tigers improve to 4-5 (2-0 ODAC). R-MC returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Lynchburg (6-3, ranked #18 in nation). Game time is set for 1 pm.

- Yellow Jackets -