(Photo by Robert Lyle Photo)
(Photo by Robert Lyle Photo)

Huntingdon men’s lacrosse debuts with win over Oglethorpe

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Huntingdon scored five goals in the first period and knocked off Oglethorpe 12-5 on Saturday in the school's first men's lacrosse game.

There was a steady downpour of rain throughout the game at Samford Stadium, but that didn't stop the Hawks (1-0) and a few dozen dedicated fans from savoring the program's first win.

"This was huge for us," Huntingdon head coach Andrew Carey said. "We've worked hard to get ready and we're excited to be able to give Huntingdon College its first win in lacrosse. We've got a lot more that we want to accomplish, but I think these guys will always remember being 1-0. Being part of the first lacrosse victory at Huntingdon College is a special feeling for the coaches and players."

Brandon Sewell scored four goals, Gavin Carey and Garrison Johnson each scored three goals and Ryan Rees and Steven Gernatt added a goal apiece.

"It's very exciting to be a part of this," Gavin Carey said. "I've never been part of starting a program before and I'm thankful to be here. We've worked hard and it's awesome to be part of the first lacrosse win in Huntingdon history."

Sewell scored the first goal for the program with 9:13 left in the first period. Rees recorded the first assist with 5:24 left in the first.

"This was a good first win for us," said Sewell, who also had an assist and nine ground balls. "It's not just every team that can say they won the first game in school history. That's something we're proud to be a part of, but we don't want the wins to stop here."

Sewell opened the scoring a little less than six minutes into the game. In the final 9:13 of the first period, Sewell and Carey scored twice and Johnson scored once to give the Hawks a 5-0 lead.

"With the weather the way it was today, we had stressed the importance of getting the lead early," Andrew Carey said. "We knew as the rain got worse, the game would slow down, the sticks would be wet and the footing would get worse. We wanted to try to get the lead and take away their will to win."

Oglethorpe (0-1) answered with two goals in the second period, but a Rees goal gave Huntingdon a 6-2 lead at the half. Oglethorpe pulled with three goals, 7-4, in the second half but Huntingdon closed the game with five goals in the final 18 minutes.

Sewell and Johnson each scored twice in a 10-minute span. Sewell and Alex Robinson had the assists on Johnson's goals. Gernatt scored the final goal with 2:07 to play. Gernatt also finished with six ground balls.

Goalie Spencer Nix got the win, recording eight saves.

The Hawks travel to Birmingham-Southern on Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. game.