Coker Grinds Out Victory Over Chowan

MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Coker College men's lacrosse team grinded out a 12-11 victory over the Chowan University Hawks on Saturday (Feb. 17) afternoon and improved to 1-1 on the season. 

The Cobras went on the attack from the opening whistle, jumping out to a 3-0 lead at the 6:57 mark of the first quarter. Rylee Marsh tallied the first score of the game off an extra man opportunity, and Matt Murphy and Joe Venazio found the back of the net for the next two goals. Coker held their three goal lead through the midway point of the second half until the Hawks scored three-consecutive goals to tie the game at 6-6 heading into halftime. 

Both defenses came to play in the third quarter as both squads only scored twice each. Venazio continued his impressive freshman campaign by recording Coker's lone two goals in the frame. 

In the final quarter of action, Coker outscored Chowan 3-1 through ten minutes of the final stanza. Both Denton Wilks and Matt Murphy found the back of the cage on extra man opportunites, while Ethan Irizarry tallied his second goal of the game. The Navy and Gold let up two goals late, but the defense buckled down when it mattered most to earn the victory. 

Venazio led the Cobras on the offensive end, recording a team-best four goals and dishing out two assists. Murphy followed Venazio with three goals and two assists, while Irizarry tallied two goals and two assists. Other Cobras who found the back of the net include Wilks and Lucas Hediger. 

On the defensive end, DeShaun Ormond led the way for the Navy and Gold, causing three turnovers and scooping up five ground balls. In goal, Chris Hagy collected ten saves. 

The Cobras will be back in action on Wednesday (Feb. 21) for their home opener against No. 12 Mount Olive. Opening face off is set for 3 p.m.