Men's Lacrosse Opens Inaugural Season at Home

PHOTO GALLERY

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's lacrosse team opened their inaugural season on Sunday afternoon by hosting 4th ranked Webber International University from Younts stadium. 

The Koalas got out to a good start as they came out and tied the Warriors at one goal apiece six minutes into the game. However, WIU went on to find their offensive rhythm and go on for the 19-4 win.

Scoring the first Koala men's goal in program history was freshman midfielder William Tanks with his unassisted goal 5:45 into the first quarter to tie the game at one apiece. Webber, though, went on to score the next six goals of the opening quarter to take a 7-1 lead. 

The Koalas came out in the second quarter and settled down defensively to hold the Warriors to just two goals in the entire quarter and outshot them 12-6 while freshman Noah Norwood scored the second Koala goal with 10 minutes remaining before half. Then, with time running out before the break, sophomore transfer Peyton Brand scored the third goal for the Koalas as CC went into the half trailing 9-3.

Columbia then scored their third straight goal of the game just 2:20 into the second half as Norwood scored his second of the game to get the Koalas within five at 9-4. Unfortunately, that would be the final goal of the game for CC as Webber (1-1) immediately followed with their 10th goal before rattling off eight more in the quarter. WIU then scored just one goal in the fourth while holding CC scoreless.

Senior goalie Fin Landi made seven saves on 24 shots in 40 minutes of field time in the cage while freshman goalie Joey Stubenvoll made an impressive 8 saves on just 10 shots on goal, allowing just two goals in nearly 20 minutes of time in the net. Norwood led the team with 12 shots and six on goal while freshman midfielder Kai Correia won three faceoffs in the center. Recording three ground balls apiece were Correia, Brand, and freshman defender Gavin Hunt.

The Koala men will next head to Missouri next weekend to face NAIA foe Missouri Baptist at 8:00 pm/7:00 central time in St. Louis on Saturday evening before facing Midland University (NE) on Sunday in St. Louis as well.