(ASHLAND, Va.) – A back-and-forth affair in men's lacrosse eventually went the way of Randolph-Macon as it reigned victorious in its home opener against St. Mary's Wednesday evening. Neither team led by more than a single goal until the fourth quarter when the Jackets (1-1) finished off a 4-0 run and held off a Seahawks (1-2) comeback the rest of the frame.

The Basics

Score: Randolph-Macon 12, St. Mary's 10

Location/Venue: Ashland, Va. / Day Field

Records: Randolph-Macon 1-1, St. Mary's 1-2

How it Happened:

• With the visitors up one thanks to a power play goal to start the third, R-MC used a pair of quick goals by Jack Smith (Fr., Stevensville, Md. / DeMatha Catholic) and Derek Marsilio (Jr., Harrisburg, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt) to regain the lead. It was the start of the aforementioned 4-0 run and helped give the Jackets momentum going into the final quarter.
• At the start of the fourth, Randolph-Macon used quick goals by Brandon Smith (Jr., Richmond, Va. / Douglas Freeman) and Austin Zappia (So., Roanoke, Va. / North Cross) 15 seconds a part to go up 10-7, its largest lead of the game.
• St. Mary's didn't go away easily as scores by Dominic Venanzi and Ben Claffee put them back within one. After another Marsilio score by way of Brandon Smith, Jude Brown put the Seahawks back within a goal with 5:54 to play.
• A St. Mary's penalty late gave Randolph-Macon a crucial opportunity, and the Jackets made sure to cash in. After Brown was called for a cross-checking conduct foul, Jack Smith was able to pick up a ground ball and find the back of the net for another two-goal cushion with 4:24 to play. It was the only man-up goal of the night for R-MC.

By The Numbers

• Jack Averna (Jr., Warrenton, Va. / Fauquier) led the offense with three goals and an assist, while Marsilio was right behind him with three goals as well. Brandon Smith chalked up three points too on two goals and an assist.
• Netminder Oz Potter (Fr., Midlothian, Va. / Midlothian) faced 26 shots and made saves on nine of them. Most came in the final frame as a frantic Seahawks attack had eight on target as Potter made five saves.
• FOGO JD Spotts (Fr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate) had a strong game in the center as he won 61.5% (16-of-26) of his faceoff attempts. He led the team with seven ground balls.
• Moving the ball across the field wasn't an issue for R-MC as the hosts were a perfect 10-for-10 in clear attempts.
• Randolph-Macon peppered the pair of St. Mary's keepers with 41 shots on the evening.

Up Next

The Jackets will head back out on the road to take on Ferrum this Saturday with a scheduled start of 4 p.m.