Mount Olive turned a close game into a runaway as six different Trojans scored in a dominating third period. Mount Olive held off a late rally to post its second win, a 13-9 non-conference men's lacrosse triumph over Wingate University Sunday afternoon at Amon Field.
Despite dominating in shots on goal and ground balls, the Trojans led just 4-3 at intermission. In the second half, things turned Mount Olive's way. In the first four minutes of the third period, Ryan Cummings, then Cameron Walsh found the back of the net to give Mount Olive (2-1) some breathing room. Nick Sanderson assisted on the first goal and Daniel Shields helped on the second.
Wingate broke the momentum briefly when Ryan Vogrig scored for Wingate (1-1), but it was not to last. Joe Pedro (assisted by Josh Schwartz) and Curtis McMullen (Tyler Feniello) struck again to give the Trojans an 8-4 cushion.
Before the horn ended the period, Nick Sanderson and Daniel Shields scored to give the Trojans a commanding 10-4 cushion heading into the final 15 minutes.
Jake Duarte pushed the lead to 11-4 with help from a Blake Bennett assist less than two minutes into the fourth, then a man-up goal by Feniello made it 12-5 and Daniel Shields finished off a hat trick moments later.
Wingate threw a scare into Mount Olive in the closing 10 minutes, scoring four unanswered goals, but it was too late.
The first half was dominated by defense, as the teams combined for 21 turnovers in the first half. In goal, the Trojans' Rocky Bowman recorded seven saves, many during Wingate's late flurry.
Vogrig gave Wingate an early lead at the 10:53 mark of the first, but Matt Shields responded two minutes later. With 5:30 left in the period, Jake Hancock put the Trojans ahead 2-1, then Duarte put his team ahead for good in the final 35 seconds of the first.
In the second period, Daniel Shields recorded his first of the game to make it 4-2.
Mount Olive outshot Wingate 36-23 for the contest, including 14-4 in the decisive third period. The Trojans also held a 43-26 advantage in ground balls.
Wingate was coached by former Trojan mentor Mike Lawson, who was named the program's first head coach. Lawson later resigned due to personal reasons.
The Trojans continue their two-game homestand Saturday when they host Lake Erie College beginning at noon.