GREENSBORO, N.C. – Dylan Haupt (Cary, N.C./Athens Drive) scored three times and Alex Brownlee added two goals and three assists in Guilford College’s 12-7 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) lacrosse victory over visiting Bridgewater College Saturday.
The Quakers (6-2, 2-2 ODAC) overcame an early two-goal deficit and gradually pulled away from the Eagles to grab a 7-4 halftime lead. Bridgewater’s Blake Mann netted the second-half’s opening goal, which made it a 7-5 game.
After Guilford’s Jace Sowden scored to make it an 8-5 Quakers’ lead midway through the third quarter, Guilford defenders Cam Davis (Raleigh, N.C./Athens Drive) and Jake Sadd were sent off for slashing penalties at the 4:35 mark. Guilford kept Bridgewater scoreless for the two-man disadvantage and allowed just one shot. Cole Woodward caused a key Eagles’ turnover on the possession, which led to a successful clear and helped kill off the penalties’ remaining time. Guilford’s Brownlee tallied off a nice Andrew McDonagh feed on the same possession, which opened a 9-5 margin, the largest of the game to that point.
Bridgwater’s Rob Simmons scored with 41 seconds left in the third quarter, but drew no closer as the Quakers outscored the Eagles in the final frame, 3-1.
In addition to the Quakers’ strong defensive play that forced the Eagles into 25 turnovers, Guilford’s man-up unit scored on three of its five chances. Haupt, Derek Spaulding (Apex, N.C./Bridgeton Academy (Maine)) and Chandler Zirkle (Chapel Hill, N.C./Chapel Hill) each tallied extra-man goals for Guilford. The Quakers’ man-down unit was also effective as it held Bridgewater scoreless in three tries.
Brownlee’s five points led all scorers. Haupt and Sowden (2 goals) were the Quakers’ other multiple-goal scorers. Brownlee also grabbed five ground balls to share team-high honors with Nick Huckins, who also caused three turnovers. Woodward scored once with his long pole, caused a career-best four turnovers and also had three ground balls. Thomas Deane went the distance in goal, made nine saves and collected three ground balls.
Mann’s two scores paced the Eagles’ offense. Thomas Maher added a goal and an assist. Sam Cheplick had a good game in the face-off circle, winning 15 of 23 draws. Eagles’ defenseman Lucas Clark picked up a game-best six ground balls and Michael Fairley made seven saves in net.
Coach Tom Carmean’s Quakers host Methodist University Wednesday (4/1) at 7:00 p.m. in a nonconference game.