Randolph College Head Coach Andy Sinclair Earns First Career Win in 12-8 Win over Piedmont College

LYNCHBURG, VA – Randolph College head coach Andy Sinclair, in his first season with the WildCats, earned his first collegiate win Wednesday afternoon with a 12-8 victory over the Lions of Piedmont College in non-conference men’s lacrosse play from WildCat Stadium.

Sinclair, who took his first collegiate coaching head job at Randolph, saw his team trail early as the Lions (0-1) netted the first two goals of the game to lead 2-0 after only 3:57 of the game. Randolph battled back, scoring three straight goals, all assisted by Bobby Crosby (Bethel, CT/Bethel) to take a 3-2 advantage.

After PC evened the score with its third man-up goal of the game, the WildCats would get back-to-back goals from sophomore Josh Borgelt (Greenville, SC/Mouldin) and junior John Croney (Wilmington, DE/Brandywine). Junior Jon O’Hara (Yorktown, VA/Grafton) also scored in the second quarter to put Randolph up 6-4 going into halftime.

The third quarter proved to be all Randolph, as the WildCats outscored the Lions 4-0 in the period, with Colton Wood (Chula Vista, CA/Otay Ranch) netting his third and fourth tallies of the game. Piedmont tried to rally in the fourth quarter, but the WildCats fended off the push from their visitors for the home victory.

Wood had five points on 10 shots, also picking up three ground balls. Junior Stephen Allman (Goodview, VA/Roanoke Catholic) had a strong contest, scoring three times and dishing out two assists, while O’Hara had a two goals and two assists as well. Borgelt finished with two goals and an assists, marking his first three points of his career.

Senior goalkeeper Kevin McCracken (Annandale, VA/Annandale) made 15 saves on the day, while sophomore faceoff man John Grundy (Gainesville, VA/Battlefield) won nine of his 16 faceoffs en route to a team-best eight ground balls. Defenders Ryan Blackwell (Brambleton, VA/Briar Woods) and Ryan Pearson (Asbury, NJ/North Hunterdon) combined for nine ground balls and five caused turnovers.

The Lions, who were playing in their first collegiate game ever, were led by the three goals from first-year Patrick Ammons. Nicholas Green chalked up two goals and an assist, while Steve Blanchard had a goal and four helpers.

The WildCats were outshot by two, but won the ground ball category 47-37. Randolph will look to earn back-to-back wins Saturday afternoon against Ferrum College at 1:30 p.m. from WildCat Stadium.