WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University men's lacrosse team won its ODAC First Round game against the seventh-seeded Virginia Wesleyan Marlins, 9-6. The Hornets (8-10, 4-6) advance out of the first round of the ODAC playoffs for the fourth straight year. Shenandoah was led offensively by Cody Griffis, who recorded a hat trick, while Matt Daniel and Josh Boonshaft each added two goals. Dylan Taylor and Jordan Rogers chipped in with one goal apiece. Matt Daniel and Clark Harrity each tallied two assists, while Jake Green added another.
From the faceoff X, the Hornets went 11-for-17, with Jason Forchetti winning 8-of-14 attempts, Ryan Therkorn going 1-for-1, and Braxton Snead finishing 2-for-2. Caleb Kelley led the Hornets and tied for a game-high with five ground balls. Jonathan Hammond and Prince Ayivon each registered three caused turnovers to also tie for a game-high. Mark Isabelle started in net for the final time in his Hornet career at home, making 13 saves in a strong performance.
Virginia Wesleyan took an early 1-0 lead before the Hornets tied the game at 1-1. The Marlins regained a 2-1 lead, but Shenandoah answered with five unanswered goals and allowed only one more goal in the first half. After shutting out Virginia Wesleyan in the third quarter, the Hornets added two more goals in the fourth and held on for the 9-6 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets won the opening faceoff and quickly fired two shots, with Jake Green's first attempt hitting the post and his second being saved. Virginia Wesleyan capitalized on its first possession to take a 1-0 lead. Shenandoah answered on the ensuing possession with Matt Daniel's 12th goal of the season. After more defensive pressure and key saves by Isabelle, Virginia Wesleyan reclaimed the lead at 2-1.
Shenandoah then took control. Josh Boonshaft's initial shot was saved, but he scored moments later to tie the game at 2-2. A turnover forced by Prince Ayivon led to Matt Daniel's second goal, giving the Hornets a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.
In the second quarter, Cody Griffis scored an extra-man goal off an assist from Clark Harrity, making it 4-2. Caleb Kelley forced a turnover that led to Jordan Rogers' goal, again assisted by Harrity. After another penalty on Virginia Wesleyan, Boonshaft tallied another extra-man goal, assisted by Daniel. Virginia Wesleyan added a late goal, but Shenandoah carried a 6-3 lead into halftime.
The Marlins increased their pressure early in the second half but were turned away by the Hornets' defense and Isabelle's saves. Shenandoah capitalized midway through the third quarter when Griffis buried his 25th goal of the season, making it 7-3 — the only goal of the period.
In the fourth quarter, Dylan Taylor scored to make it 8-3, but was assessed an unsportsmanlike penalty. Virginia Wesleyan scored on the ensuing possession to cut the lead to 8-4. After killing two penalties and another key save from Isabelle, Griffis completed his hat trick to make it 9-4. The Marlins added two late goals, but Forchetti won the final faceoff and ran out the clock to secure the 9-6 victory.
UP NEXT
The Hornets now hit the road for the ODAC Quarterfinals, traveling to Roanoke on Tuesday. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
#GoSUHornets
