Daniel Shields recorded the Mount Olive men's lacrosse program's first hat trick, then delivered four more to help the Trojans record their first victory, a 24-5 non-conference win over Young Harris Saturday afternoon at Amon Field.
Shields and teammate Matt Shields accounted for 12 goals and seven assists as the Trojans blew the game open in the first period and cruised to the win.
Mount Olive scored the first goals of the match and led 9-1 after 15 minutes. Jake Duarte found the net for the first marker in program history just 2:22 into the game. Moments later Blake Bennett scored on Daniel Shields' assist.
The Trojans' special teams were also on top of their game. The Trojans were a man up when Duarte scored again at the 12:04 mark of the first, then Matt Shields added a short-handed goal at 9:15.
Both Shields brothers scored again before the end of the first.
Matt Devoy got in the scoring column early in the second period as he assisted on a Daniel Shields goal that gave the Trojans a 10-1 cushion. Devoy also found the net as well, accounting for four goals and an assist.
The Trojans led 14-2 at intermission, then turned things up on defense. Mount Olive forced eight of the Mountain Lions' 21 turnovers and won the battle of ground balls 27-18.
Young Harris came life early in the second half, scoring twice, but the Trojans rebounded with a six-goal fourth to end all doubt.
Alex Tindall added a pair of goals for the Trojans, while Tyler Feniello, Cameron Walsh and DiMartino added one apiece. Cody Dowling, Nick Sanderson, Josh Schwartz and Dylan Woods each had an assist.
In goal, Rocky Bowman finished with nine saves for the Trojans.
The Trojans take the field again Wednesday afternoon when Mount Olive travels to Catawba for a 4 p.m. game.