LYNCHBURG, Va. - Averett University men's lacrosse downed Randolph College 15-4 on the road Wednesday night to earn the young programs first Old Dominion Athletic Conference win.

"It's very rewarding getting our first conference win in our first season in the ODAC," said Tony Mackin, head lacrosse coach. "The entire conference is talented, well coached and have strong histories. So no question,  this is a big win for our program. It speaks to this teams approach to practice and the constant pursuit of our standards. It means so much to have seen the establishment and growth of this program firsthand."

Averett (3-8, 1-5 ODAC) opened up the contest with a four unanswered goals paced by freshman Tyler Duffey who netted three of the four goals. Randolph (1-10, 0-4 ODAC) netted its first goal of the game just under five minutes into the second quarter. Averett answered back scoring five consecutive goals from five different Cougars as Duffey, freshman Emmett Wood, sophomores Dawson Hobbs and Brayton Powers and junior Connor Taff all got in on the scoring action. The Cougars defense allowed just one in the opening 30 minutes of play as Averett took a 7-1 lead into halftime. 

The Cougars picked up the second half with the same momentum they carried throughout the first, scoring goals less than a minute apart in the opening two minutes of the half. Averett scored six goals in the third quarter and outscored the WildCats 8-2 in the second as the visiting Cougars buried Randolph on its home field.

Taff etched his name at the top of Averett's record book at the junior became the programs all-time points leader at 13:43 in the third quarter from his assist to Powers, he went on to score four points for the Cougars. 

"I knew I was close but I wasn't sure how close, so I didn't feel any pressure in getting the magic number," said Taff. "The most important thing for me was getting the win tonight."

"We knew Connor would be a special player from the day he stepped on campus. His play has not only distinguished him as an Averett record holder, but look how his play has elevated his teammates. Tonight alone we had scoring from five other players," said Mackin. 

The Captain is no stranger to the Averett record book as he has also moved into solo possession of all-time goals scored with 64, tied second all-time assists with 21 assists, he holds the career points per game record, career goals per game record, and second most goals scored in a game. 

"Connor has a great competitive fire that's usually just under the surface of a polite and mild mannered exterior," said Mackin. "He's been able to get the job done day in and day out just by showing up and holding himself to a high standard and leading by example. He is really a team first player. No task, whether helping with a hall hunt or carrying water to the bus is too small for his attention.  He's constantly pushing himself and raising the standard for his teammates."
 

"It means a lot for me to be at the top of the Averett record books because it shows all the work that is being put in and just going out on the field and trying my best for my team to secure a win," said Taff.

The Cougars had six players get in on the scoring action, Duffey netted six goals and an assist, while Powers had a hat trick, Taff netted two goals and handed out two assists, Hobbs chipped in two goals, while Wood totaled two points, freshman Cameron Shadduck tallied a goal and sophomore Jay Etheridge handed out one assist. In the cage for the Cougars freshman Cameron Prutzman made 15 saves and only allowed four goals. Junior Calvin Beavers had a career-high five caused turnovers to go along with two ground balls.

As a team the Cougars out-shot the WildCats 37-28 including outshooting the opponent 24-19.

Averett is back in action on Saturday at 1 p.m. on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium against No. 11 Washington and Lee University.

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