Cobras Blow Past Embry-Riddle 13-3

Cobras Blow Past Embry-Riddle 13-3

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker College men's lacrosse team blew past the visiting Embry-Riddle University Eagles 13-3 Sunday (Feb. 25) afternoon in non-conference action. The Cobras improved to 2-2 with the victory.

The first quarter of action saw both defensive units play tough and Coker tallying the only two goals of the frame. Denton Wilks began the scoring at the 9:51 mark as he bullied his way through the middle of the Eagle defense to score. Next, DeShaun Ormond found the back of the net in transition and the Cobras took a 2-0 lead into the second quarter.

Coker began to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring Embry-Riddle 4-1. Lucas Hediger found the back of the net at the 11:47 mark of the quarter after a well-placed pass from Rylee Marsh. Next, Marsh went on to score back-to-back goals unassisted to give Coker a 5-0 lead. Marsh's back-to-back goals were highlighted by a hidden ball trick that Ethan Irizarry and Marsh perfected. With 4:39 remaining in the half, Brooks Long found a cutting Matt Murphy who beat the goalkeeper for the score in a torrential downpour at the Coker Athletic Field. The Navy and Gold took a 6-1 lead into the locker rooms.

With the rain continuing to fall in the third quarter, the Cobras found a way to outscore the Eagles 2-1 on a sloppy field. Charles Stafford wasted little time to find the back of the cage as he scored unassisted just 18 seconds into the quarter. Marsh went on to record his third goal of the game at the 13:46 mark of the stanza. Irizarry was credited with the assist.

In the final quarter of action, the Cobras found their offensive groove once again, tallying five goals. Irizarry scored at the 13:57 mark of the quarter, while Denton Wilks, Andrew Dappen, and Brooks Long finished the final frame with goals. Long found the back of the net on two extra-man-opportunities and Dappen earned his first goal of the season.

Marsh led the Coker offensive attack with three goals and two assists. Long followed Marsh, accumulating two goals and two assists, while Hediger, Wilks, Murphy, Irizarry, and Dappen recorded two points each. On the defensive end, James Brugger and Cole Theodoropolous caused two turnovers each. Stafford led the Cobras in the ground ball category, scooping up six. In between the pipes, Chris Hagy had an excellent day, tallying eight saves and only allowing three goals.

The Cobras will be back in action on Saturday (Mar. 3) when they host Palm Beach Atlantic. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Coker Athletic Field.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Rylee Marsh