Mount Olive broke open a close game with an eight-goal second period and the Trojans won their fifth game in six outings with a 21-4 non-conference men's lacrosse win over Ohio Valley University Saturday afternoon in Parkersburg, W.Va.
The Trojans (7-4) never trailed after Matt Shields found the back of the net 2:55 into the contest. At the end of the first period, however, Mount Olive was still trying to pull away from the Fighting Scots (3-6) despite dominating their hosts in almost every phase of the game. In the first period, Mount Olive outshot Ohio Valley 12-4, and forced eight turnovers. Fighting Scot goalie Tyler Ross, however, was on top of his game in the early stages, recording four of his 11 saves.
The Trojans were relentless, however, and goals from Cameron Walsh and Daniel Shields late in the period gave Mount Olive the lead for good 3-1. The late spurt was just the beginning of the flood of shots the Trojans sent at Ross. By the end of the contest, Mount Olive outshot its opponent 32-10 on goal.
Mount Olive went on to outscore the Fighting Scots 8-0 in the second period, and eventually tallied 17 unanswered markers. Ohio Valley went more than 22 minutes between goals.
Walsh, Matt and Daniel Shields finished with three goals apiece for Mount Olive, while Jake Duarte and Dylan Woods added two apiece. Cody Dowling, Rob Thomas, Joe Pedro, James DiMartino, Stephen Bowlan, Nick Sanderson, Tyler Feniello and Ryan Morris each added one tally.
Matt Shields finished with four assists, while Feniello recorded a career-high and school record 10 ground balls recovered. DiMartino added five ground balls.
In goal, Rocky Bowman and Eli Dodgson recorded three saves each.
Mount Olive won the battle of possession, winning 19-of-29 face-offs, while recording only one turnover.
The Trojans return to Conference Carolinas action Tuesday when nationally eighth-ranked Pfeiffer travels to Amon Field for a 4 p.m. start.