Cobras Fall to Bears in SAC Semifinals

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Coker College men's lacrosse team fell to the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears 14-9 in the semifinals of the South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship on Thursday (Apr. 16) evening.

First team All-SAC selection Josh Smith got things started with the opening goal putting the Cobras ahead 1-0. Classmate Shane Wilson would net a goal midway through the first quarter to put Coker out in front 2-0. A pair of Lenoir-Rhyne goals would even things up at 2-2 after the first 15 minutes.

John Bretton would continue his scoring ways finding the back of the net at the beginning of the second quarter to put Coker ahead 3-2. Mike Martiello would stop a brief run by the Bears with a goal of his own to knot the game up at 4-4. Bretton scored his second goal of the game with three minutes left in the second quarter to put Coker out in front 5-4. The Cobras would hold the one point lead as the teams went into the locker rooms for halftime.

After a Lenoir-Rhyne goal to start off the third quarter, Bretton would give the Cobras the 6-5 lead after his third goal of the game. Smith answered a goal by the Bears with a goal of his own, his second goal of the night putting the Navy and Yellow ahead 7-6 with eight minutes left in the third quarter. After a goal by Lenoir-Rhyne, the score would be 7-7 going into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter would be all Bears as they outscored the Cobras 7-2 in the final 15 minutes to take the 14-9 victory.

Bretton and Smith led the way with three goals apiece, while Martiello dished out three assists.

The Navy and Yellow will conclude its 2015 season with a non-conference road matchup against Belmont Abbey College on May 2. Game time is set for 2 p.m.