University of Mount Olive used a six goal fourth quarter to push the Trojans past Roberts Wesleyan College 13-4 in non-conference men's lacrosse at Amon Field in Mount Olive, N.C. Wednesday afternoon. Matt Shields scored three of his five goals in the fourth quarter.
Mount Olive (3-0) started the game out hot as the Trojans went on a 3-0 run to open the contest. Thatcher Clark, a freshman from Winter Park, Fla., found the back of the net first. He maneuvered himself into free space and stuck for goal and gave Mount Olive the early lead with 12:20 left in the opening quarter. Stephen Bowlan and Jesse Mitchell picked up the only other goals in the quarter and Mount Olive led by three.
To begin the second quarter Shields got his first goal of the game 18 seconds in to give Mount Olive a four point cushion. Austin Whitlow gave the home 10 a 5-0 lead with another Trojan goal with 13:50 remaining.
Roberts Wesleyan (2-1) were able to finally put a halt to the Mount Olive offense with 5:22 left before halftime. Colin Waden took a pass from Matt Benedict and was able to beat the Trojan keeper for the Redhawks first goal. Benedict moments later scored on his own with 4:31 left to bring the deficit to three going into the break.
The third quarter did not see an increase in the goal margin, as both Mount Olive and Roberts Wesleyan scored a pair of goals a piece and brought the score to 7-4 with the Trojans still on top.
The final quarter was all Mount Olive as the Trojans went on to score six goals, three on power play opportunities, and did not give the Redhawks an attempt for a comeback.
Clark and Mitchell complemented Shields performance with a pair of goals respectively. Tyler Feniello led the defense with seven ground balls. Curtis McMullen added three caused turnovers and three ground balls. In goal, Ross Bowman (3-0) got the win as he faced 12 shots and tagged eight saves.
Mount Olive will remain at home as the Trojans will host Catawba College this Saturday at 1 p.m.
