NOVA midfielder Dustin Hennessy in action in the team’s first game on Thursday, February 25 against Mercyhurst North East College.

In their first ever game, NOVA’s men’s lacrosse team fell to Mercyhurst North East College on Thursday at Old Redskins Park in Herndon, 12-6.

After a quick opening goal by Mercyhurst, NOVA’s attackman Mitch Brown responded, scoring the team’s first goal to knot the game at one apiece.  Both defenses held strong as neither team managed a goal for the remainder of the opening quarter.  In the second quarter, the Saints tallied six unanswered goals to enter halftime leading 7-1.

In the third quarter, NOVA rallied with back-to-back goals by Mitch Brown and Simon Yi to cut into the deficit.   NOVA outscored the Saints 4-1 in the third quarter to stay within striking distance heading into the game’s final period.

Mercyhurst held off any additional late game heroics by NOVA scoring four goals in the fourth quarter.

“For our first game ever as a team we made some great strides and I am very proud of what we achieved,” said head coach Matt Blamey, making his debut as a college coach as well. “However, we know we have some work to do to continue to build this young team.”

Brown totaled three goals on the day to pace NOVA’s offense. Other contributors consisted of midfielder Landon Jones with two goals and one assist and Yi finished with one goal.  CJ Ward had a tremendous second half for NOVA in goal, notching 8 saves.

By Brian Anweiler

By: Contributing Author

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