LYNCHBURG, Va. --- A huge 13 goal run powered the #4 Lynchburg College men's lacrosse team to a 13-5 win over Washington and Lee University on Saturday in the first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) semifinal matchup.  The top-seeded Hornets defeated the fifth-seeded Generals as Hornet sniper Austin Stewart tied the single-season scoring record in the route.

W&L exploded out of the gates.  Christian Zanetis opened up the scoring, less than two minutes in.  After the Generals won the ensuing faceoff, Noah Lessing added to the lead eight seconds later.  After 65 more seconds, Washington and Lee made it 3-0.  The rest of the first quarter was quiet for each until the 2:15 mark.  The prolific Stewart tallied his first of the afternoon to get the Hornets on the board.  After that, the entire second quarter belonged to LC.

Stewart added to his total after two minutes catching a pass from his number one partner in crime Aaron Murphy.  Lynchburg tied the score at three with 10:20 remaining in the half.  Stewart completed his hat trick and moved within one of the single-season points' record (set by Murphy last year). 

Dane Angell then gave the Hornets their first lead with 6:50 remaining in the half.  Todd Galvin expanded the lead less than two minutes later, which was put at 6-3 going into the intermission thanks to a transition goal from Cullan Ganley.

The Hornets kept up the pressure in the second half.  Murphy picked up a rebound and fired one in from close range at the 11:06 mark.  Colin McGuire put the lead at 8-3 a minute and a half later.  With 6:51 remaining, Stewart tied Murphy's mark with another rocket into the back of the net.

Lynchburg added one more in the third, as Murphy scored on the man-up.  He caught a pass from Galvin in close and tallied his second of the game.  In the fourth Angell, Daniel Owens, and Jacob Fuller tallied to put Lynchburg up 13-3.  W&L added two consolation goals late in the period, as the team's title chances would end.

While the LC offense did its part throughout the game, the defense proved to be its equal.  Chris Hawley was stout in net, making 15 saves while allowing only three goals.  Hunter Thompson was a menace causing three turnovers.  He also showed off his speed that made him a great LSM by helping in the transition game on several clears, where the Hornets were successful on 21 of 23 attempts.

Wyatt Devine made 12 saves in the loss for the Generals (12-7 overall).  Jack Clark and Bobby Doyle combined to win 14 of 23 faceoffs throughout the game.

Lynchburg (16-2) will take on the winner of the other semifinal matchup.  Two-seed Virginia Wesleyan College (10-5) plays three-seed Roanoke College (11-5) at 5 p.m. at Lynchburg College as well.  The ODAC Championship Game will be played on Shellenberger Field at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

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