The Lees-McRae College Bobcats lacrosse team opened their season
at Wingate University Saturday afternoon, falling 18-4 to the
Bulldogs in non conference action. The game marked the season
opener for both teams.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring 1:50 into the contest with a
goal from Bryan Safarik. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the
home side until 4:25 when Jason Schafhauser rifled a shot past the
Bulldogs David Suthers. Tyler Stieber gave the visitors the lead
with 1:42 left in the first quarter with Schafhauser drawing an
assist. Both Bobcats goals came on extra man opportunities.
The second quarter was controlled by Wingate as the home side
rattled off six unanswered goals to hold a 7-2 lead. Neil Sleight
got one back for the Bobcats with one second remaining on the clock
with Jason Grau drawing the assist.
Wingate continued to capitalize on mental mistakes by the
youthful Bobcats squad and extended their lead to 11-3 heading into
the fourth quarter, and cruised to the home and season opening
win. Sleight, (pictured top left), added his second of the game in
the fourth with Kyle Ficken picking up the assist.
With eight of ten starters freshman or sophomores, the Bobcats
will no doubt have a fair sized learning curve ahead this season.
The Bobcats went 3 for 6 on the extra man opportunities while the
Bulldogs went 1 for 3. The Bulldogs won the ground ball battle
60-51.
Adam Canoy made 12 saves for Lees-McRae while Suthers registered
six for Wingate. Shane Sheppard and Chad Watson relieved Canoy and
Suthers respectively with each tallying one save.
The Bobcats will return to action Wednesday when they open up
their Carolinas Virginia Athletic Conference schedule at Pfeiffer
University. Game time is set for 3:00pm.
