College Men’s Lacrosse Final – Guilford 13, Methodist 3

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Daniel Hughey (Cary, N.C./Athens Drive) scored three goals and an assist in Guilford College’s 13-3 win over visiting Methodist University Wednesday. The Quakers (7-2) yielded their fewest goals in a match since a 20-2 win at Piedmont College Feb. 23, 2013.

After the Monarchs’ Jake Smerka scored the opening goal nearly five minutes into the match, Guilford clamped down and netted the next nine tallies over three periods. Dylan Haupt and Daniel Hughey both notched man-up goals later in the frame, which gave Guilford a 2-1 edge after 15 minutes.

The Quakers peppered Methodist goalie Chris Lombardi from distance in the second quarter of the converted attackman’s first varsity start. Hughey had a goal and an assist in the five-goal frame that sent Guilford into halftime with a comfortable 7-1 margin.

Jace Sowden’s goal in transition off a quick Alex Brownlee feed opened the third-quarter scoring and was followed less than a minute later by a Nick Damiano goal. Justin Layden’s unassisted score ended Methodist’s scoreless streak with 32 seconds left in the third quarter.

Guilford defensive midfielder Rufus Terry notched a pair of fourth-quarter goals, a fitting tribute to the Quakers’ long-stickmen who enjoyed a strong night. Fellow defender Jake Sadd also scored, but the defensemen did their best work at the field’s other end, hassling the Monarchs (7-6) into 29 turnovers. Cam Davis (Raleigh, N.C./Athens Drive) forced three Methodist miscues while Sadd, Terry and Nick Huckins each caused two turnovers. Sadd added a game-high five ground balls. Thomas Deane made six of Guilford’s seven saves in his 55-plus minutes of work.

Smerka scored two of the Monarchs’ three goals. Lombardi finished with 11 saves in his second collegiate appearance in the cage. Face-off man Trent Diaz had a nice game, winning 14-of-19 draws and picking up two ground balls. Matt Layden had five pickups on the night.

Coach Tom Carmean’s Quakers visit league-rival Randolph-Macon College Saturday (4/4) at 3:00 p.m.