ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University men's lacrosse team picked up their fourth consecutive win to open the season with a 22-5 victory over the Lees-McRae Bobcats.
The Trojans returned home after a Florida road trip in which they picked up two impressive victories over No.14 Florida Southern (Feb. 10) and Embry-Riddle (Feb. 12). Anderson carried that momentum into a highly contested and defensive first quarter of play by forcing 12 Lees-McRae turnovers. Max Calabrese scored a pair of goals to give the Trojans a 4-0 lead going into the second period.
Kevin Murphy scored the opening goal for the Bobcats to start the period, but was followed six unanswered goals, with two of them coming via Logan Gaddis as the Trojans went into halftime with a 10-1 advantage.
Garrett Hawkins and Radyn Badraun paced the Trojans in the third quarter, leading the way with a combined four goals and an assist. The Trojan defense was the story of the evening, forcing 38 turnovers from Lees-McRae. Defense turned into offense, as Anderson finished the evening with 22 goals on their way to the 22-5 victory.
Logan Gaddis led the offense with four goals and an assist with two ground balls. Radyn Badraun and Garrett Hawkins each finished with a hat trick, while Badraun picked up four ground balls. Max Calabrese, Matthew Rodgers, Will Hazelhurst, and Brayden Bushnoe each scored twice. Hawkins and Tagrt Houghton both caused two turnovers.
Cam Weeks finished 14 for 15 on faceoff attempts with 10 ground balls. Ethan Pratt was 4-8, while freshman Breton Crewe won five of his seven attempts. Goalie Hunter Klosterman finished with four saves.
"Great defensive and riding effort from the team tonight," said coach Albert Mitchell. "Our focus now turns to Young Harris on Saturday."
The Trojans will return to Spero Financial Field on Saturday (Feb. 18) as they play host to Young Harris. Video and live stats can be found at autrojans.com.
