Cobras Pick up Pivotal SAC Win Over Railsplitters

HARROGATE, TENN. – The Coker College men's lacrosse team picked up a 12-9 win on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 23) over the Lincoln Memorial University Railsplitters in a South Atlantic Conference men's lacrosse matchup.

The teams traded goals in the first quarter, with Rylee Marsh finding the back of the net twice, with Mike Martiello and Josh Smith dishing out the assists.

Marsh made it a hat trick 30 seconds into the second quarter, giving Coker the 3-2 lead. After a goal by LMU, Paxton Caristi found the back of the net, with Marsh picking up the assist. Lincoln Memorial scored a response goal to tie the game up at 4-4 as the teams departed for halftime.

The Cobras outscored LMU 4-1 in the thanks to two goals by Shane Wilson, one by Brooks Long and one by Martiello.

Wilson opened up the fourth quarter with his third goal of the game, giving Coker the 9-5 lead. Brad Clements found the back of the net at the 10-minute mark, giving Coker a commanding 10-5 lead. The Railsplitters went on a 3-0 run in three minutes to close the deficit to 10-8, however, back-to-back goals by Wilson and Martiello secure the eventual 12-9 road win.

Martiello led the way with two goals and four assists. Marsh and Wilson had five points each, Marsh scoring three goals and two assists, while Wilson scored four goals and one assist. Long, Caristi and Clements had one goal apiece, while Josh Smith, Deshaun Ormond and Clements all dished out assist.

In the cage, Anthony Malik had 15 saves in the win. 

With the win, the Cobras secure the No. 4 seed in the South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship and will host the No. 5 seed on Tuesday (Apr. 26) at 4 p.m.