GETTYSBURG, Pa. --- A potential game-tying goal was waved off as the Lynchburg College men's lacrosse team nearly rallied from a seven-goal deficit Wednesday at fifth-ranked Gettysburg College, but fell 8-7 in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Division III Lacrosse Tournament.

It was almost a repeat performance from a season ago, when the Hornets came all the way back from a 9-2 third-quarter deficit to defeat Gettysburg 11-9 in the semifinals of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

Gettysburg led 5-1 at intermission and controlled the early third period, scoring three times - two from Ivan Morris - to take an 8-1 advantage. LC senior attackAustin Stewart netted his second goal of the game late in the quarter on an assist from Chris Cornelius.

Cornelius found Evan Lombardo in a man-up situation at the 10:31 mark of the fourth period to cut the lead to 8-3. Colin McGuire scored from Lombardo less than a minute later and Stewart followed with another Hornet goal from Aaron Murphy to make it a three-goal game. Lombardo had tallies at the 4:39 mark and with 1:08 remaining to pull LC within one at 8-7. The Bullets gained possession after a Hornet shot and nearly ran out the rest of the clock. LC keeper Chris Hawley grabbed a loose ball out of the air and heaved it across the field to Murphy, whose tying goal was just after the final horn.

The first 15 minutes featured a few Lynchburg opportunities, but the Hornets were held scoreless by the second-ranked defensive team in Division III and trailed 2-0 after one period. Mike Distler made it a 3-0 game for GC, but Stewart countered with LC's first score at the 7:39 mark of the second period. Jameson Smith and Distler found the back of the net late in the quarter to put the Bullets ahead 5-1.

Lombardo finished the game with three goals and an assist while Stewart also had a hat trick. McGuire had a goal and two helpers.

Lynchburg out-shot Gettysburg on the afternoon 37-29, and hit the post or crossbar four times. HornetBobby Distler won 16 of the game's 18 face-offs and scooped a game-high six ground balls, Joe Vincentforced two turnovers and Hawley made seven saves.

Smith and Morris each had two goals for the Bullets and Mike Distler and Werner posted a goal and an assist apiece. Gettysburg (15-2) moves on to the second round Saturday to face tonight's winner between Stevenson University and Cabrini College.

The Hornet season ends with a 12-9 record and the program's fifth-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

--- This release is courtesy of the Lynchburg College sports information department. ---
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