WASHINGTON, DC – Even though the main event of the Capital Lacrosse Classic was a rematch of last year's Division I National Championship between Virginia and Maryland, Hampden-Sydney College and Catholic (DC) University put on a game to remember, to kick off the Classic.  Fans in attendance were treated to a solid performance, both offensively and defensively, from the two teams, but it was the Tigers (4-3) who would prevail, 13-12, over the Cardinals (4-3), behind Senior Bobby Clagett's (Brandywine, MD) 3 goals and Senior Will Perry's (Roanoke, VA) 15 saves.

The Cardinals took control early in the first quarter, scoring three straight goals, for the 3-0 lead.  However, the Tigers answered with three straight goals of their own, as Junior Kevin Marshall (Mt. Pleasant, SC), Senior Grayson Ackaway (Virginia Beach, VA) and Sophomore Ford Burke (Richmond, VA) found the net to even things up at the 12:30 mark of the second quarter.  Two minutes later, Catholic regained the lead, but Sophomore Patrick Sauders (Alexandria, VA) tied it again, and that was proceeded by Sophomore Ray O'Brien (Scituate, MA) getting a pass to Senior Sean Duffy (Ambler, PA) who drained a shot, to give Hampden-Sydney the advantage, 5-4.  O'Brien followed that up with a goal of his own and the Burke would score his second goal of the game, extending the lead to three goals, 7-4.  The Cardinals put one more on the board, but after taking a pass from Claggett, O'Brien scored his 11th goal of the season, giving th Tigers the halftime lead, 8-5. 

Claggett would score his first of three goals to start the third quarter, keeping Hampden-Sydney out in front, while Duffy and Freshman Connor Kilfeather (Wyndmoor, PA) each added goals, allowing the Tigers to run out to their largest lead of the game, 12-8.  Catholic tried to regain the momentum in the fourth quarter, scoring two straight goals, trimming the score to 12-10.  However, Duffy found an open Claggett, who fired a shot for his 17^th goal of the season, giving Hampden-Sydney some insurance.  The Cardinals pulled to within one goal, and had an opportunity with 29 seconds remaining in the game, but Senior Will Perry (Roanoke, VA) came up with his 15^th, and biggest save of the game, to secure the victory, 13-12.

In addition to Clagget's three goals, Duffy, O'Brien and Junior Jack Limon (Gainesville, FL) each added two goals on the day.  The Tigers defense also played strong, forcing a total of 22 turnovers.  The win moves Hampden-Sydney to 4-3 on the season, as they prepare to begin a long stretch of ODAC games.  However, before that begins, they will travel to Mary Washington for one more non-conference match-up.  The game with the Eagles is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, and will begin at 4:00pm.  Stay tuned to www.hscathletics.com and all social media for updates and recaps.