Wilson and Messel Lead Cobras to SAC Win Over Catawba

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College men's lacrosse team picked up a crucial 8-7 South Atlantic Conference win on Wednesday evening (Mar. 30) over the visiting Catawba College Indians.

Catawba came out the gates quickly, scoring the opening goal within 20 seconds to take a 1-0 lead. Brooks Long responded with a goal on the, other end just two minutes later to tie the game up at 1-1. Shane Wilson netted back-to-back goals with 5:34 and 1:53 left in the first to cap off a 3-0 Coker run. Catawba found the back of the net in the last minute of the quarter to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The second quarter was a defensive battle, with neither team breaking on the defensive side of the ball. Catawba struck first in the quarter, finding the back of the net with 3:54 left to tie the game up at 3-3. The Indians struck once again, this time as the horn sounded for halftime, scoring and taking a 4-3 lead as the two teams departed for halftime.

Wilson opened up the third quarter with a goal with 13:28 left on the clock, with Mike Martiello picking up the assist. Rylee Marsh joined in on the scoring, finding the back of the twine with 10:38 left. However, back-to-back goals by Connor Kennedy of Catawba gave them a 6-5 lead heading to the final 15 minutes.

The Indians scored a goal 45 seconds into the fourth quarter, taking a 7-5 lead. However, this is where the Cobras mounted their final push. Martiello struck again, this time on the scoring end, cutting the deficit to 7-6. Another goal by Wilson with just over 11 minutes left tied the game up at 7-7. After a scoreless seven minutes, it was Wilson yet again finding the back of the net for the fifth time, giving the Cobras the 8-7 lead. Catawba made one last effort, getting a shot off with one second left, but it was goalie Adam Messel making the biggest of his 15 saves to secure the 8-7 conference win.

Wilson's five goals led the way, while Long, Marsh and Martiello chipped in the other three goals. Martiello also had the lone Coker assist. One the defensive end, DeShaun Ormond had five ground balls and two caused turnovers. In goal, Messel had a career-high 15 saves.

The Cobras will be back in action next Wednesday (Apr. 6) to take on the visiting Belmont Abbey Crusaders in a non-conference matchup. Opening faceoff set for 6 p.m.

McDonald's Player of the Game – Adam Messel