HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men's lacrosse team hosted the Statesmen of Hobart College for their 10th contest of the season. The Panthers controlled the match from the start, leading the entire contest once scoring began. The Panthers ultimately defeated the Statesmen 9-7, notching their fourth win of the season.
 
Owen Bunten led the charge for the Panthers with two goals on eight shots while seven other Panthers scored solo goals. Luca Accardo led the Panthers with five ground balls and went 10-20 on faceoffs.
 
"I'm really proud of our team for pulling that one out," Head Coach John Crawley stated. "The A10 is as tough of a conference as there is right now, and every week from here on out is going to be a battle.
 
"I thought our defense played probably their best game to date against what was a dangerous Hobart group. Coach Ready had those guys very prepared, and thought they did a good job giving Zack Overend shots he could save. I thought that we were cleaner in the middle of the field today than we were in a couple other games which put us in a position to create a lot of shot opportunities… both in transition offense and in the box. It was great to see Lucca show up when we needed him.
 
"There is more room for this group to grow — but for now we will enjoy a good team win… then back to work for another great team this week."
 
Site: Vert Stadium
Score: High Point 9, Hobart College 7
Records: High Point (4-6), Hobart College (3-7)
 
The High Point Panthers never trailed the Statesmen of Hobart College once scoring was opened up by Ian Cann with 11:56 to go in the first quarter. Cann was assisted by Justin Wixted who would go on to lead both teams with four assists for the contest.
 
HPU would then strike again to go up 2-0 with Wixted scoring unassisted with 6:48 to go in the first. This goal brought the total to 12 for Wixted this season.
 
The Panthers would continue their strong play going up 3-0 with a goal from Ryan Hynes who was once again assisted by Wixted.
 
Hobart would strike for their first goal of the contest with just 41 seconds remaining in the first quarter bringing the score to 3-1.
 
Hobart would again try to close the gap with a goal at the 7:34 mark in the second quarter. The Panthers would respond with a goal from Carson Robins who was assisted by Jeb Brenfleck with just 51 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The score would remain 4-2 in favor of the Panthers going into the half.
 
HPU came out of the locker room picking up right where they left off, with Brenfleck scoring his 13th goal of the season, assisted by Wixted. The Panthers would then strike again only a minute and a half later with Owen Bunten scoring, assisted by Wixted. This would bring the total score to 6-2 in favor of the Panthers.
 
The Panthers and Statesmen would then take turns attacking one another, with the Panthers goalie Zack Overend recording multiple saves. Overend would spend the entire game between the posts for the Panthers, recording 14 saves during the contest.
 
Hobart would find their third goal of the contest with 2:12 remaining in the third quarter. Following the goal two Panthers served time in the penalty box resulting in a two-man advantage for the Statesmen which they capitalized on with 1:24 to go in the third. HPU would go into the fourth quarter leading 6-4.
 
Bunten would strike for his second goal of the contest after picking up a ground ball with 11:37 to go in the match. This goal marks the 21st goal for Bunten this season and would bring the match score to 7-4 in favor of the Panthers.
 
Hobart would then score with 8:07 remaining in the contest which would be the start of a late game surge for the Statesmen. With the help of an offside penalty resulting in a man advantage the Statesmen would score again with 3:20 to go in the match, bringing the match score to 7-6 in favor of HPU. The Statesmen would quickly strike again just 14 seconds later tying the match 7-7.
 
The game remained tied for only six seconds thanks to Accardo of HPU, who won the faceoff and then streaked down the field taking it all the way to the net himself.
 
The Panthers would then notch a security held off the Statesmen for the remainder of the match resulting in a final score of 9-7 in favor of HPU.
 
UP Next:
High Point will be traveling to Amherst, Mass. to take on the University of Massachusetts on Saturday April 5th at 3:00pm.