FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College men's lacrosse team (0-13) put
forth a fine defensive effort, allowing a season-low nine goals,
but came up short to the visiting Christopher Newport University
Captains (6-5) Wednesday at Thomas Athletic Field.
The Blazers and Captains played virtually the entire first
quarter without a score until Rob Duca found the back of the net
with 11 seconds remaining in the period. Jon Ims then scored
back-to-back goals to start the second quarter and Duca added his
second tally of the afternoon to make it 4-0 CNU. Jeff Balinsky
netted his first goal of the season with 1:13 left in the half and
the Blazers trailed 4-1 at intermission.
Sofiane Lazar netted a pair of goals in a span of 1:30 to start
the third quarter and pull Hood to within 4-3 with 8:13 to play in
the period. But Justin King fed Ryan Merrell for CNU's fifth score
of the day 2:19 later. Dominique Shorter's seventh goal of the
season made it 5-4 after three quarters of play. But the Captains
won five of the six face-offs and outscored the Blazers 3-1 in the
final 15 minutes to secure the victory.
Ims finished with four goals and two assists for the visitors,
who outshot the Blazers 46-25 on the day.
Sam Hofmann made 17 saves between the pipes in a valiant effort
in goal.
The Blazers return to action Sunday at No. 17 Roanoke College at
2 p.m.
