ANDERSON, S.C. – The No.14 Anderson University men's lacrosse team picked up their first South Atlantic Conference victory of the season with a gritty 13-10 win over the Coker University Cobras.
After a week of practice, the Trojans returned to Spero Financial Field looking to get back in the win column after a tough loss to No.8 Rollins last Friday.
It was a tough, defensive first quarter of action as the Cobras led 2-1, capitalizing on a man-up opportunity to take the lead. Coker opened the second quarter by scoring three of the first four goals to lead 5-2. With three minutes remaining until halftime, Sean Moran for Coker fired a shot that was initially ruled a goal to give the Cobras a 6-2 lead. However, the call on the field was reversed with a save credited to Hunter Klosterman.
On the following clear, Garrett Hawkins assisted a goal by Matthew Rodgers to get the Trojans back in the game. A few moments later, Hawkins set up another Anderson goal, this time to Ryan Bitterman to make the score 5-4. With 53 seconds left, Coker answered the Trojan rally with a goal to take the 6-4 lead into halftime.
Anderson came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter, taking control of the game. Brayden Bushnoe was effective in the faceoff, winning 16 of his 23 attempts with 12 ground balls on the night to change the tempo of the game. The Trojans outscored the Cobras five to one in the period to take a 9-7 lead into the final 15 minutes.
Ryley Zopfi opened the quarter with a goal to extend the lead to three. Coker answered with back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to one with under nine minutes left. Just a few moments later, Matthew Rodgers scored his fourth goal of the evening to reclaim control of the game. The Trojans continued their stellar defense to clinch the 13-10 victory.
Hunter Klosterman was great in goal for the Trojans as he picked up nine saves. Matthew Rodgers was the leading scorer with four goals, while also contributing an assist and two ground balls. Logan Gaddis, Ryan Bitterman, and Radyn Badraun each scored twice. Peyton Jefferson, Garrett Hawkins, Diego Lopez, Radyn Badraun, Kaleb West, Rex Hardy, Logan Gaddis, and Mason Gore all caused turnovers.
"Very proud of the team's effort to bounce back after a sloppy start," said coach Albert Mitchell. "Great effort and fight in the second half, our focus now turns to Limestone."
The Trojans will be back in action on Saturday (Mar. 11) as they play host to the No.10 nationally ranked (USILA) Limestone Saints at noon at Spero Financial Field. Video and live stats will be available at autrojans.com.
