Men’s Lacrosse Final – Guilford 7, Virginia Wesleyan 6 (OT)

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Junior Greg Nash’s (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) goal 1:29 into overtime gave Guilford College a 7-6 lacrosse win over visiting Virginia Wesleyan College Saturday.

The victory marked Guilford’s (7-3, 2-1 ODAC) second Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) triumph of the season, a feat last accomplished in 1992. The Quakers’ seven wins this year represent their most since 1992.

The entertaining contest featured five ties and four lead changes. Neither team led by more than two goals throughout the game. Virginia Wesleyan (4-4, 1-1 ODAC) rallied from a 5-3 deficit with three straight third-quarter scores and regained the lead, 6-5, on Kyle Wright’s unassisted tally with 1:47 left in the quarter. Guilford tied the game just over a minute later on Chris Sisk’s score.

Nick Mann set up Sisk’s game-tying goal and also took the final shot of regulation. Virginia Wesleyan goalie Tyler Keech stopped the sophomore’s bounce shot in the final seconds to force the Quakers’ first overtime game of the season.

Guilford’s Sam Newland outdueled Mikey Connors for the overtime face-off and the Quakers’ Josh Wynne collected the ground ball. Guilford promptly took a time out and crafted Nash’s winning goal, a laser from 12 yards left of the cage that beat Keech low.

Nash and teammate Henry Farley both scored twice for Guilford. Quakers senior Mark Guillen was strong in goal with a season-high 15 saves, his fifth straight game with 10 or more stops. He made five saves in the fourth quarter and also picked up a team-high four ground balls.

Virginia Wesleyan’s Adam Nycz led all scorers with three tallies, two in the first quarter. Travis Puls, who entered the game as the ODAC leader in goals, scored once and added an assist. Connors won seven of 12 draws and picked up a game-high six ground balls. Keech finished with 11 stops in goal, four in the fourth quarter.

Guilford entertains Oberlin College Wednesday (3/30) at 4:00 p.m. in a nonconference contest.

Lacrosse Game Summary (Final)
2011 Guilford College Lacrosse
Virginia Wesleyan vs Guilford (Mar 26, 2011 at Greensboro, NC)

Virginia Wesleyan (4-4, 1-1 ODAC) vs. Guilford (7-3, 2-1 ODAC)
Date: Mar 26, 2011
Location: Greensboro, NC
Stadium: Armfield Ath. Center
Attendance:150
Start time:1:00 pm
End time:2:50 pm
Total time:1:50

SCORE BY PERIOD       1  2  3  4 OT  Tot
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Virginia Wesleyan...  3  0  3  0  0 -  6
Guilford............  2  1  3  0  1 -  7

Virginia Wesleyan SCORING: GOALS: Adam Nycz 3; Travis Puls 1; Kyle Wright 1; Kevin Topper 1.
ASSISTS: Mikey Connors 1; Nick Northern 1; Travis Puls 1.

Guilford SCORING: GOALS: Henry Farley 2; Greg Nash 2; Chris Ashcraft 1; Chris Sisk 1; Taylor Teodosio 1.
ASSISTS: Chase Clausen 1; Nick Mann 1.

Virginia Wesleyan GROUND BALLS: Mikey Connors 6; Adam Nycz 4; Tyler Keech 3; Mike Tibbs 3; Brian Dressler 2; Devon Heath 2; Jimmy McGinnis 2; Andrew Adamson 1; Mark Longley 1; Ry Stanley 1; Brock Waddell 1.

Guilford GROUND BALLS: Mark Guillen 4; James Hulette 3; Erik Dolliver 2; Henry Farley 2; Greg Nash 2; Sam Newland 2; Dale Wray 2; Alex Ambramson 1; Chris Ashcraft 1; Trey Atkinson 1; Tyler Class 1; Nick Mann 1; Charlie Robinson 1; James Stegeman 1; Evan Sylvia 1; Josh Wynne 1.

Virginia Wesleyan TURNOVERS CAUSED: Mikey Connors 1; Brian Dressler 1; Adam Nycz 1; Travis Puls 1; Ry Stanley 1; Mike Tibbs 1.
Guilford TURNOVERS CAUSED: Trey Atkinson 3; Greg Nash 2; James Hulette 1; Evan Sylvia 1.

SHOTS – Virginia Wesleyan 39; Guilford 26.
SHOTS ON GOAL – Virginia Wesleyan 21; Guilford 18.

PENALTIES – Virginia Wesleyan 4/4:00; Guilford 4/3:30.
MAN-UP OPPORTUNITIES – Virginia Wesleyan 1-4; Guilford 1-4.

TURNOVERS – Virginia Wesleyan 12; Guilford 15.

FACEOFFS – Virginia Wesleyan 9-16; Guilford 7-16.

CLEARS – Virginia Wesleyan 18-18; Guilford 20-24.

GOALIES – VWC: Tyler Keech 4-4 (61:29 minutes, 18 shots-11 saves, 7 GA); GC: Mark Guillen 7-3 (61:29, 21-15, 6).

Officials: Keith McAdoo; Fuji Lozada; Shannon Godfrey.
Scorer: Guilford Sports Info.

Old Dominion Athletic Conference game