Bison Defeat Quakers in Season Opener

Bethany, W. Va- The Bethany College men's lacrosse team faced Wilmington (OH) in a non-conference tilt Sunday afternoon at Bison Stadium. The Bison rolled past the Quakers in the final minutes of the game, 13-11.

GAME OVERVIEW
Bethany jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead over Wilmington in the first period. Nick Melita scored the first two goals for the Bison with assists coming from Jake Gerber and Tristan Shaffer. Will Gatling added his first of six goals scored on the day. Wilmington battled back knotting the game at 3-3 with 6:45 to go in the period. Bethany regained the lead from a Shaffer goal. The green and white led after one 4-3.

Wilmington tied the game at 4-4 to start the second period. Melita scored his third goal on the day to give the Bison the lead back. Chandler Dunn added another goal with under 10 minutes left in the first half. The Quakers quickly jumped ahead to take a 8-6 lead going into halftime.

The Bison got back on the board with a Gatling goal with 9:05 to go in the third period. A Clay Yingling goal knotted the game at 8-8. Another Galting goal put the green and white ahead 9-8. Wilmington ended the period with a goal to knot the game back at 9-9.

It was a back and forth affair in the final period of play. Gatling scored three goals for the Bison in the fourth period, with two coming in the final minutes of play to give the Bison a 13-11 lead and to seal the Bethany victory.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
• Will Gatling (6 G, 1 A)
• Nick Melita (3 G, 1 A)
• Tristan Shaffer ( 2 G, 2 A)
• Clay Yingling (1 G)
• Jake Gerber (2 A)
• Chandler Dunn ( 1 G, 1 A)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Will Gatling's six goal performance sets a new career high for the senior midfielder
• Nick Meltia registers a hat trick in the Bison win
• Andrew Smith records 12 saves on 23 shots
• Jake Gerber anchored the Bison defense causing four turnovers
• As a team the green and white caused 20 turnovers
• The Bison took 49 shots with 23 on goal

UP NEXT
Bethany travels to Muskingum on Wednesday February 27 for non-conference tilt. Face off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.