WESTMINSTER, Md. – The Shenandoah University men's lacrosse team hit the road Thursday night and avenged last season's loss to McDaniel University, securing an 11-7 non-conference victory.
The Hornets (3-3) were led by Dillon Bakhsh, who delivered a game-high five goals in the win. Dylan Taylor added two goals and an assist, while Matt Daniel, Josh Boonshaft (two assists), Cody Griffis (one assist), and Jake Green (three assists) each found the back of the net.
Shenandoah dominated the faceoff circle, winning 14 of 21 opportunities, thanks to strong performances from Jason Forchetti (9-12) and Ryan Therkorn (5-9). On defense, Clark Harrity, Jonathan Hammond, and Aaron Coombs each forced a turnover, while Forchetti scooped up a game-high six ground balls. In goal, Mark Isabelle made 14 saves to help secure the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
McDaniel won the opening face off, but Shenandoah quickly forced a turnover to gain its first offensive possession. After running down the shot clock and committing a violation, the Hornets regained possession, and Bakhsh capitalized with his first goal of the game.
Isabelle was tested early, making three consecutive saves before McDaniel tied the game with five minutes left in the first quarter. The Green Terror then committed a penalty, setting up an extra-man opportunity that Shenandoah converted, as Griffis assisted Green to retake the lead at 2-1. Taylor followed with another goal off a Green assist to extend the advantage to 3-1 at the end of the first quarter.
McDaniel struck early in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 3-2. After a flurry of shots and a key save from Isabelle, Bakhsh netted his second goal, assisted by Boonshaft. McDaniel responded with a goal to pull within one, but Taylor answered again off another Boonshaft assist, giving the Hornets a 5-3 halftime lead.
The Green Terror opened the third quarter with a goal, closing the gap to 5-4. Following a missed extra-man opportunity, McDaniel tied the game at 5-5 with under 10 minutes left in the period. Hammond forced a turnover deep in Shenandoah territory, leading to Daniel's go-ahead goal from behind the net. Griffis followed with another score to extend the lead to 7-5.
McDaniel responded with two quick goals to tie the game at 7-7, but Shenandoah answered decisively. Therkorn won the ensuing face off, setting up Bakhsh's hat trick goal off a Green assist. Boonshaft added an acrobatic goal off a pass from Dylan Foughty, giving the Hornets a 9-7 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
Bakhsh continued his dominant night, scoring twice in the final period, both assisted by Green, to give Shenandoah its largest lead of the game at 11-7. The Hornets controlled possession for most of the quarter, effectively running down the clock to seal the victory.
UP NEXT
The Hornets return home next Wednesday for a non-conference match up against Penn College. Face off is set for 4 p.m.
#GoSUHornets
