(ASHLAND, Va.) – The season came to an end for Randolph-Macon men's lacrosse as it fell in the rematch with arch-rival Hampden-Sydney in the ODAC Tournament quarterfinals. The fourth-seeded Yellow Jackets nearly pulled off an incredible comeback, but came up just short in the final seconds against the fifth-seeded Tigers.

The Basics

Score: Randolph-Macon 10, Hampden-Sydney 12

Venue: Nunnally Field

Records: Randolph-Macon 11-7, Hampden-Sydney 12-6

How It Happened

• The Lemon and Black were first to light up the scoreboard as Derek Marsilio (Sr., Harrisburg, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt) tickled the twine on a helper from Brandon Smith (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Douglas Freeman). A Bobby Clagett goal by Hampden-Sydney equalized, but Jack Averna (Sr., Warrenton, Va. / Fauquier) scored on the assist from Andrew Tiffey (Sr., Columbia, Md. / Wilde Lake) to put the Yellow Jackets back on top just over four minutes into the game.
• Hampden-Sydney answered just 19 seconds later and sparked a 6-0 run to end the first quarter.
• The Tiger defense stifled the Yellow Jackets for the majority of the second quarter as well, but R-MC's back line was just as tough. In fact the Jackets shut out the Tigers in a second quarter that was scoreless until 2:32 to go in the half when Jamie Smith (Jr., Roanoke, Va. / Patrick Henry) put R-MC back on the board.
• Tiffey added two more goals in a busy final minute with the first of those two coming from Averna. After a faceoff, Tiffey was then able to bat a loose ball off the ground into the net with just .3 left on the clock to cut the deficit to 7-5.
• The Jackets were able to get back within one at the start of the third as a penalty gave them an EMO chance. Brandon Smith took advantage with Averna chalking up another assist. Hampden-Sydney was able to score just a few minutes later, but Randolph-Macon was back in the game.
• Both teams' defenses held strong the rest of the frame as no one scored until the start of the fourth quarter.
• H-SC proceeded to score the next three goals, but R-MC didn't give up. Averna sparked the rally with consecutive goals 18 seconds apart before Jack Smith scored a pair himself to make the score 11-10.
• The Jackets had one last opportunity to tie, but a final shot was saved and the Tigers were able to score an empty-net goal as time expired.

Inside The Numbers

• Jack Averna led a balanced attack for the Jackets with three goals and two assists for five points. He ends his incredible season with a program record 64 goals and 88 points on the campaign.
• His brother Sam Averna (Sr., Warrenton, Va. / Fauquier) had a solid game between the pipes as he made 13 saves on 38 shots faced.
• JD Spotts (So., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate) was strong on the special teams as he won 14-of-23 faceoff attempts. He picked up seven ground balls in the process to lead both teams.
•  Tiffey and Brandon Smith both ended up with three points on the night.
• The Tigers were led by Ray O'Brien who scored four goals and an assist for five points.