Belmont Abbey Narrowly Defeats Coker, 12-9

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker Cobras narrowly lost to the Belmont Abbey Crusaders, 12-9, on Tuesday (Mar. 12) night in Conference Carolinas men's lacrosse action.

Ryan Maurer, Mike Martiello and Timothy Smith scored two goals each for the Cobras, while Andy Campos, Steve Marciano and Tom Elliott each registered a goal. John Bretton and Maurer each had an assist as well.

The game started slow, as each team played exceptional defense, but the Abbey was first to strike with just under seven minutes left in the first quarter. Campos gave the Cobras their first goal five minutes later, tying the game at one. With just 21 seconds left in the quarter, the Crusaders snuck in their second goal and took a 2-1 lead into the second quarter.

In the second quarter the Crusaders made it a 3-1 game with a goal just three minutes in. Coker cut the lead to one when Elliott weaved his way through the defense, going coast-to-coast to score the second goal for the Cobras. Belmont Abbey regained the two-goal advantage with just over six and a half minutes remaining in the half. The Cobras, however, were not about to roll over, as Maurer netted his first goal and made it a 4-3 game. The Abbey once again scored a goal in the final minute of the quarter, taking a 5-3 lead into halftime.

After the break, Coker came out ready to go, as Smith and Marciano scored back-to-back goals in the opening five minutes of the quarter, tying the game at five. The Crusaders responded with three unanswered goals to take an 8-5 advantage into the fourth and final quarter.

Smith posted his second goal of the game a minute into the fourth, making it an 8-6 game. The Abbey answered with three goals, to take an 11-6 lead. Maurer posted his second goal of the game, trimming the lead to just four and Belmont Abbey scored their final goal with just under three minutes left.  Martiello scored back-to-back goals in the final minute for a 12-9 final.

Tim Ryan made nine saves in the net and as a team the Cobras picked up 41 ground balls.

Coker will return to the field on Thursday (Mar. 14) at home against Wingate University. Face-off is set for 3:30 p.m. at Byerly Park.

McDonald's Player of the Game- Ryan Maurer