SALEM, VA (April 7, 2007)—Hampden-Sydney's 13th-ranked lacrosse team was able to overcome a 6-1 first quarter deficit but could not hold on to their lead as Roanoke College defeated the Tigers, 13-11, in Salem, VA on Saturday night. Thomas Jennings (Murfreesboro, TN/Webb School) led the Tigers, scoring three goals and recording one assist. The Maroons jumped out to an early 6-1 first quarter lead and held on late for the 13-11 ODAC victory. With the loss, the Tigers drop to 9-2 overall and 2-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, while the Maroons improve to 9-4 on the season and 2-1 in the conference.
Roanoke caught the Hampden-Sydney Tigers off balance as the Maroons scored six first quarter goals, giving them an early 6-1 advantage. In the second quarter, Hampden-Sydney settled down, scoring four goals, including a Joe Daugherty (Charlottesville, VA/St. Anne's-Belfied) man-up goal with 2:19 remaining until halftime. The Tigers were also able to hold the Maroons scoreless in the second frame, cutting Roanoke's halftime advantage to one goal, 6-5.
In the third quarter, Thomas Jennings and Ryan Harrington (Dallas, TX/Plano) scored one goal apiece, giving the Tigers a 7-6 lead with 11:19 remaining in the quarter. Only two minutes later, Roanoke scored the first of five unanswered goals to build a 11-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Tigers finally found the back of the net at the 9:26 mark, but Roanoke pushed the lead to five, 13-8, with just under four minutes remaining. In the final three minutes, the Tigers were able to score three goals, but Roanoke held on for 13-11 decision.
Six different Tigers scored goals with Jennings leading the Tiger offense with three goals and one assist, while Daugherty and Harrington added two goals apiece. Also scoring a goal for the Tigers was Colin Dunn (Chevy Chase, MD/Trinity Pawling), Will Shell (Alexandria, VA/St. Stephen's), and Michael Via (Virginia Beach, VA/Norfolk Academy).
Senior Scott Russell (Darien, CT/Darien) recorded 14 saves for the Tigers in 58 minutes of action. The Tigers won 10-of-28 face-offs and were 2-of-6 on man-up opportunities. Hampden-Sydney recorded 42 ground balls on the evening and were successful on 20-of-26 clear attempts.
Hampden-Sydney will return to action on Saturday, April 14, as Hampden-Sydney will host ODAC-rival Washington and Lee University at Hellmuth-Pritzlaff Field. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm and will be broadcast live at http://hams-av.hsc.edu/lacrosse/.
