DANVILLE, Va. – Winter weather took its full form in Saturday night's contest between Averett University men's lacrosse and visitors William Peace University. A lopsided first period for the visitors carried weight throughout, prevailing 12-9 over the Cougars, despite Averett's best efforts later on.
William Peace, in its season opener, looked fresh as it swarmed Averett for four quick goals in the first eight minutes of play. Senior
Dawson Hobbs alleviated some sores with his third score of the early campaign, but the Pacers replied back with attacker Callem Hunt, widening their gap to a four-score lead at the turn of the period.
The Cougars'
Emmett Wood willed the home side's offense back slowly, as he scored two to cut Averett's deficit back down to just three, at 6-3. The top returning scorer from William Peace, Jamar Bell, netted his second of the game to restore the visitors' four goal cushion, but Wood completed an early hat-trick with just over a minute remaining in the half. The teams headed into the locker room, with the visitors holding a 7-4 advantage.
Wood contributed twice for the Cougars' next two scores, first netting his fourth of the contest, then assisting
Brayton Powers for his first of the game in a low-scoring period for the teams. The visiting Pacers did score one of their own, however, but Averett was in close distance of tying the game up, trailing 8-6 as the fourth period loomed. In a shot-heavy period, 14 between both squads, the Cougars locked up on defense to hold William Peace to its lowest goal-scoring tally in a period thus far.
The first period barrage from the visitors was enough to prevail for their first victory of the season, despite seven goals being scored in the quarter alone. Strong efforts from
Tigran Ceesay, Powers, and
Zachary Hulbert were to no avail, being outscored 4-3 overall in the fourth. By game's end, Averett was dealt the 12-9 loss.
Wood led the Cougars in points for the second straight game, tallying five with four goals. Powers and Ceesay managed two-point nights, with the former netting two scores. Conner Boyd led the team in ground balls with 10.
Defender
Giovanni D'Amico was a force in the backend, causing four turnovers, a game-high. After taking over earlier in the contest, new Cougar netminder
Robbie Isenhour managed eight saves in his collegiate debut.
Averett continues its opening homestand next Saturday, Feb. 22, opening ODAC play versus Roanoke College, receiving votes in the national rankings. Start time is set for 4 p.m.
