Koala Men Return Home but Fall to TWU

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College inaugural men's Lacrosse team fell at home to conference foe Tennessee Wesleyan University 21-3 on Saturday from Younts Stadium.

A slow-starting first period saw TWU score first but the Koalas followed with a goal from freshman midfielder Noah Norwood off an assist from freshman attackman Tanner Kuykendall at the 8-minute mark to tie the game at one. TW then added two more quick goals and only led 3-1 for the majority of the first quarter. Tennessee then scored three goals in the first 7 minutes of the second quarter to lead 7-1 for most of the second before taking an 8-1 lead at the break.

However, Norwood got the Koalas on the board first in the second half scoring at the 10:30 mark off a pass from freshman midfielder William Tanks in the third quarter to trail 8-2. But TW added four more goals in the 3rd quarter to lead 12-2 after three. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs scored three quick goals to start off the fourth against the exhausted Koala defense to lead 15-2 before CC answered with a goal of their own by freshman attacker Gavin Gordon at the 11-minute mark.

Senior goalie Fin Landi made 11 saves on 30 shots on goal while fellow goalie Joshua Nguyen made 2 saves on 4 shots as Norwood led the team with 8 total shots and six on goal. Defensemen Peyton Brand also  led the team with four ground balls and three caused turnovers. 

Columbia falls to 1-9 overall with the loss and 0-5 in the conference while TWU improved to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in the AAC.

The Koalas will next remain home to host Warren Wilson College (N.C.) on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm.