Lacrosse Tops Wingate, Clinches Share of DSC Title

WINGATE, N.C. - Mars Hill College senior attack Eric Benesch had two goals and two assists in a crucial 4-0 run, helping the number 12 Lions collect a 12-7 Deep South Conference victory over Wingate University Sunday afternoon at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field. The win clinches at least a share of the Deep South Conference regular season title for the Lions.

With the victory, Mars Hill improves to 9-3 overall and 5-1 in the DSC. The host Bulldogs are 6-7 overall and 3-2 in the DSC. Wingate visits DSC rival Catawba College Saturday at 7 p.m., while Mars Hill hosts Queens University of Charlotte Saturday at 1 p.m.

Wingate's David Lee scored on an assist from Matt Ramsey to tie the contest 5-5 with 10:13 to play in the third quarter. Benesch went to work, assisting Tim Burns on the game-winner at the 8:40 mark.

Benesch and Burns traded roles four minutes later, as Burns found his teammate for a 7-5 advantage. Benesch opened the fourth quarter with his second goal of the 4-0 flurry, giving the Lions an 8-5 edge with 14:38 remaining in the contest. T.J. Cowx assisted Benesch on the EMO goal.

Mars Hill's Tyler Farmer finished the flurry three minutes later, scoring his team-best 38th goal on an assist from Benesch. Farmer's tally made the score 9-5 Lions with 11:07 to play.

The Bulldogs kept fighting, as Bryan Bayliss tallied an unassisted goal at the 10:46 plateau, cutting the Wingate deficit to 9-6. Forty seconds later, Brandon Lowstetter scored his first goal of the season on an assist from Lee. Wingate would get no closer down the stretch, as Mars Hill finished the contest with three unanswered goals.

Wingate outshot Mars Hill 43-37. The Lions converted their only extra-man opportunity, while the Bulldogs were zero-for-four in EMO situations. Burns led Mars Hill with five goals and two assists. Benesch was next on the points chart with three goals and two assists. Cowx had a team-high three helpers for the visitors.

Lee and Garrett Kendall shared the Wingate team lead with two goals each. Colin O'Donoghue had one goal and two assists for the hosts.

Mars Hill goalkeeper Dylan Price picked his ninth victory of the season. Price allowed seven goals and recorded 18 saves. He collected a team-high eight ground balls. Wingate's netminder Danny Dlugozima took the loss. The Bulldog goalkeeper notched 16 saves and surrendered 12 goals. Dlugozima topped the Wingate charts with his nine ground balls.