Late-Game Heroics Give Cobras 12-11 SAC Victory Over Lions

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker men's lacrosse team picked up a nailbiting 12-11 South Atlantic Conference victory over the Lions of Mars Hill University on Saturday (Feb. 21) afternoon. The win moves the Cobras to 1-1 in SAC competition.

The game's opening period would produce no goals, but both teams would net four goals in period two to send the game into the half at 4-all. The two teams would continue to trade goals in the third period, with both teams scoring three goals in the frame.

Trailing 9-8 in the fourth, the Lions would take control of the game and go up 11-9 following a three-goal run. However, the Navy and Yellow would not go away, as Josh Wassum and Mike Martiello would each find the back of the net to knot the game up at 11-all.

With less than a minute left in the game, defender Dylan Marks would force a Mars Hill turnover that would be picked up by Patrick Timothee. Following a Coker timeut, senior Josh Smith would cap the late-game comeback with an unassisted strike with four seconds left on the clock. Coker's defense would block a last second shot by the Lions to preserve the 12-11 victory.

Smith would lead the Cobra offense with four goals and four ground balls, while Martiello registered two goals and one assist. Wassum would finish with two goals and two assists for the Navy and Yellow. Shane Wilson and Rylee Marsh would each finish with one goal and one assist, while John Bretton and Ryan Vento each found the back of the net twice.

Defensively, Marks headed the defense with four caused turnovers, two ground balls and one assist. Between the pipes, Tim Ryan registered nine saves in 60 minutes of action.

The Cobras will hit the road for a Wednesday (Feb. 25) night showdown with former Conference Carolina foe Mount Olive. The game is slated for a 4 p.m. start.

McDonald's Player of the Game – Josh Smith