READING, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley men's lacrosse team outscored host Albright College 7-1 in the first quarter in a 18-10 victory over the Lions on a damp and windy night at Gene L. Shirk Stadium in Reading on Wednesday.
 
The win evens LVC's record at 2-2 while dropping Albright to 2-2 to begin the season. The game started in pouring rain but that didn't stop the Dutchmen from the hot start as Colin Hughes found a cutting John Lux across the middle for the game's first goal two minutes in. The Lions were able to tie the game up on a rebound off a blocked shot with just under 10 minutes to go in the quarter. Trey Ralston gave LVC the lead right back with a pair of unassisted goals within 20 seconds of each other. His first goal came off a caused turnover that he forced on a clear attempt. Ralston picked the ball up and fired it into the back of the net. His second goal was off a rebound from a shot by Hayden Carling that was saved.
 
The Dutchmen poured it on as Hughes found Alex Kiviniemi from behind the goal for a quick strike. Hughes then gave LVC a 5-1 lead with an unassisted goal following a failed clear attempt by the Lions. The lead blossomed to 6-1 as Jake Bollinger scored his first goal of the game off an assist from Rowan Myers as the Dutchmen prepared to go on the first extra-man opportunity of the game. Albright was able to keep the Dutchmen off the scoreboard until the final seconds as Lux powered his way in front of the goal and put away his second goal of the game with six seconds left.
 
The Lions scored first to begin the second quarter as the rain started the die down a little. Carling gave the Dutchmen an 8-2 advantage with an unassisted goal with just over nine minutes to go in the half. The Lions were able to keep the Dutchmen off the scoreboard the rest of the half and scored twice in the final five minutes to make it an 8-4 game going into the break.
 
Hughes opened the second half with an unassisted goal a couple minutes in. LVC took advantage of two consecutive Albright penalties with a pair of goal by Ralston within 40 seconds of each other. Lux assisted on the first goal before Kiviniemi assisted on the second to put the Dutchmen up 11-4. The Lions fought back with a pair of goals before Ethan Keenan found the back of the cage off an assist from Carling. The teams traded goal in the final three minutes of the quarter as Albright struck first with 2:29 left. LVC won the faceoff and Hughes scored off an assist from Lux with just under two to play. The Lions responded with a goal five seconds later before Bollinger scored with a minute left to send the game into the final quarter with LVC leading 14-8 and on a man-advantage following a late Lions penalty.
 
The Dutchmen put the game away early in the fourth with three goals in the first six minutes. Bollinger scored on a caused turnover and ground ball pickup. Hughes then scored off an assist from Ralston with 10:35 on the clock. Myers then found Ralston across the middle for a goal to give the Dutchmen a 17-8 advantage with 9:43 left. Albright was able to score twice late in the quarter to cut the lead to 17-10 before the Dutchmen ended the game on a long clearing pass by Zach Wanous to Sean Poole who put the ball into the back of the net right before time expired.
 
Inside the Box

• Ralston had his second six-point game of the year with five goals and one assist. The junior took nine shots and had six ground balls with two caused turnovers.
• Hughes also had a six-point game on four goals and two assist. The junior took just five shots in the game.
• Lux continued his great start with two goals and two assists on six shots.
• Bollinger recorded his third hat trick of the year with three goals on eight shots. The senior has scored multiple goals in all four games this year.
• Kiviniemi continued his scoring streak with a goal and an assist. Carling also had a goal and an assist for the Dutchmen while Myers had two assists.
• Sheadan Makosy led a strong defensive effort with three caused turnovers and three ground balls. Brenden Manderbach added four ground balls while Miles Snyder won seven faceoffs and picked up four ground balls.
• Kellen Markley had 13 saves including a few point-blank stops on shots right in front of the crease.
• LVC had a 42-36 shot advantage including 30-23 in shots on goal. The Dutchmen were 16-22 on clear attempts and 2-5 on extra man opportunities.

Up Next
The Dutchmen will play the first home game of the year at Arnold Field on Saturday at 12 p.m. as Goucher College visits Annville.

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