Cobras Fall to No. 20 Lions in Midweek Action

SAINT LEO, FLA. – The Coker College men's lacrosse team fell to the No. 20 Saint Leo University Lions 13-8 on Tuesday evening (Mar. 8) in a non-conference matchup.

Brooks Long got the Cobras off to a fast start, netting a goal just two and half minutes in, to put Coker ahead 1-0. After allowing the equalizing goal, Mike Martiello continued his scoring ways, putting the Navy and Gold ahead 2-1. A goal by Rylee Marsh with just 10 seconds left in the first quarter gave Coker the 3-1 lead after the opening 15 minutes.

Marsh struck again 38 seconds into the second quarter when he netted his second goal of the night, thanks to an assist from Josh Smith to put the Cobras ahead 4-1. A DeShaun Ormond goal with 13:22 left in the second quarter capped off a 4-0 Cobra run. However, the Lions finished the opening half on a 4-0 run of their own, tying things up as the teams departed for the locker rooms at halftime.

Saint Leo continued to click offensively, going on another 4-0 run in the first eight minutes of the third quarter. Down 9-5, the Cobras responded with back-to-back unassisted goals by Smith and Martiello to tighten the tilt up at 9-7. After allowing a goal, Shane Wilson found the back of the net for the first time, with Martiello dishing out the assist.

The Cobras would be held scoreless in the final 15 minutes, while the Lions netted three insurance goals to secure the 13-8 home win.

Martiello led the way with two goals and one assists, while Marsh finished with two goals. Josh Smith finished with one goal and one assist. Long, Wilson and Ormond rounded things out with one goal each.

The Cobras will be back in action on Saturday (Mar. 12) to take on the visiting Brevard College Tornados in South Atlantic Conference home match. Opening face off is set for 4 p.m.