MEN’S COLLEGE LACROSSE: Top-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne idle until Friday’s tourney semifinal

HobbsDailyReport.com

HICKORY – Lenoir-Rhyne University is the top seed and idle until the semifinals on Friday in the South Atlantic Conference men’s lacrosse tournament.

The Bears (15-1, 8-0) completed the league schedule unbeaten on Saturday by beating Coker 15-7 in Hickory. It’s the third straight regular-season crown for the Bears.

LRU takes an 11-match win streak into a tournament semifinal on Friday at 11 a.m. at Wingate against the winner of No. 5 Catawba-No. 4 Queens, who play Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Queens.

The championship match is Sunday at 1 p.m. at Wingate.

The Bears are ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division II and have won 24 straight regular-season conference matches and 38 of their last 42 matches.

Coker (7-7, 3-5) earned a No. 6 seed and plays at No. 3 Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

On Saturday, the Bears opened a 9-1 advantage about for minutes into the second period and they were up by at least four goals the rest of the way.

Senior midfielder Ben Corrigan and freshman attacker Myles Moffat led LRU with three goals each.

Senior midfielder Shane Gottberg came up big for the Bears, totaling 16 ground balls, scoring once and winning 18-of-19 faceoffs.

LRU, which allowed four straight goals at one point, held the advantage in both shots taken (43-28) and ground balls (34-14).

Senior Ryan Crompton earned a victory in goal for the Bears after making nine saves.

Coker’s Brooks Long scored twice but goalkeeper Chris Hagy suffered the loss. Hagy made seven saves.

LRU junior attacker Joe Buduo had a goal and assist against Coker. He has a league-high (and school single-season record) 55 goals and 80 total points this season.

SAC MEN’S LACROSSE TOURNAMENT

Tuesday’s first round

No. 5 Catawba at No. 4 Queens, 4 p.m.

No. 6 Coker at No. 3 Lincoln Memorial, 3 p.m.

Friday’s semifinals at Wingate

Queens-Catawba winner vs. No. 1 LENOIR-RHYNE, 11 a.m.

Lincoln Memorial-Coker winner vs. No. 2 Wingate, 1:30 p.m.

Sunday’s championship at Wingate

Semifinals winners, 1 p.m.

  • Reported by LRU Sports Information

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