NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 15, Averett 4
Records: Life U, 1-0; Averett, 0-2
DANVILLE, Va. - The Life U men's lacrosse team made history, taking down Averett University 15-4 on Saturday afternoon in Virginia.
Playing their first ever game in program history, the Running Eagles were better than the Cougars in every quarter, eventually pulling away for a comfortable win in the third quarter.
Junior Jacob Long started his season hot run of goal scoring, with five goals while grabbing three ground balls. Graduate student Mackoy Bodmer pitched in three goals and two assists, while Josh Bell paced the squad with two goals and one assist.
Faceoff specialist Christofer Tyson did his part in helping the Running Eagles gain a possession advantage, as the freshman won 20-of-23 faceoffs and added a goal on the afternoon.
After Long opened the scoring early in the first quarter to put the Running Eagles out front early, the Cougars immediately answered to tie the score at 1-1. However, when Bodmer notched his first of the evening less than a minute later, Life U led the rest of the way from there.
Bodmer's goal sparked a 9-0 scoring run for Life U all the way into the middle of the third quarter until Averett scored to break the drought.
The second quarter saw Brayden Hittle score back-to-back goals with the second goal being a man advantage to create a 7-1 lead. Life U continued their scoring frenzy leaving the Cougars scoreless for the rest of the first half while adding one more goal by Tristian Berry to make it 8-1 going into the break.
While Bodmer and Long scored the opening two goals of the second half, the Cougars eventually responded again to cut off Life U's 9-0 run.
Averett's offense fought through the final 15 minutes but Life U's defense held steady, allowing two fourth quarter goals, but it was not enough for the Cougars to make a comeback.
Up next, the Running Eagles will travel to University of the Cumberlands on Saturday, Feb. 17th at 5 p.m. to compete in the first AAC matchup of the season.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Long tallied five goals to start the season and added three ground balls.
- Tyson won 20-of-23 faceoffs and led the Running Eagles with seven ground balls.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Running Eagles held a 30-24 advantage in ground balls and led the shot count 36-16.
