GREENWOOD, S.C. - The No. 9 Anderson University men's lacrosse team won in dominant fashion against non-conference opponent Lander University on Saturday (Mar. 18) at Van Taylor Stadium for their 4th straight road win this season.
Lander jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter, controlling the first 15 minutes of action. However, Anderson responded by scoring one of their own, bringing the deficit to just 3-1.
It was a scoring clinic in the second, as the Trojans racked up four straight to recapture the lead. Garret Hawkins assisted a goal to Matthew Rodgers to start the scoring period. Not even half a minute later, freshman Radyn Badraun puts one in the back of the net to tie the game 3-3. Already with a hat trick on the night, Badraun did not let up steam by scoring two more, along with Matthew Rodgers and Garrett Hawkins adding to the score tally. A lone goal by the Bearcats makes the score 7-4, Anderson leading the way into halftime.
A slow start for the Trojans offensively coming into the second half allowed for the Bearcats to get to work, and with two assists from senior attackman Adam Mather, Lander came within one. After a big defensive stop, Peyton Jefferson opened up the Trojan's scoring run, clearing himself a pathway right to the goal for his fifth of the season. Nick Calabrese earned his second assist on the night after a feed to Radyn Badraun, all a part of Badraun's six goal night. Rodgers continues to fire from all cylinders, scoring himself one more to wrap up the third, with the Trojans ahead 10-6.
Cam Weeks was effective off the face-off, winning 19 of his 27 attempts with 11 ground balls on the day. After more than four minutes tick by scoreless, Logan Gaddis strikes first in the final stretch of gameplay to put Anderson up by five. Once again, the Bearcats scored two straight, but with an answering call of three goals by the Trojans, Lander was unable to reclaim the game, even with 21 caused turnovers.
Hunter Klosterman has a career high night in goal with 16 saves, notching his fifth win as a freshman. Radyn Badraun was the leading scorer with six goals, while also adding an assist and a ground ball. Matthew Rodgers scored thrice, with Brayden Bushnoe, Max Calabrese, Garrett Hawkins, Logan Gaddis, and Peyton Jefferson each with one a piece. The Trojan defense caused seven turnovers, with Peyton Jefferson contributing to two of them.
"Good team win. We have a great rivalry with Lander and, as expected, it was a tough, physical game. We showed a lot of toughness and our hustle paid off," said coach Albert Mitchell. "We're excited to get back to SAC play next week with Catawba."
The Trojans will be back in action on Saturday (Mar. 25) as they host conference opponent Catawba at noon at Spero Financial Field. Video and live stats will be available at autrojans.com.
*Article written by Colin Calvert
