Tigers cruise to NCAA win
Published 10:11 am Thursday, May 11, 2017
- TITUS MOHLER | HERALD H-SC freshman midfielder Matt Duignam, left, advances with the ball Wednesday during the Tigers’ 23-8 home victory in the NCAA Tournament.
Wednesday marked the Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) lacrosse team’s first NCAA Tournament action since 2003, but the Tigers were unfazed by the moment, blowing out visiting Transylvania University 23-8.
It was the third NCAA Tournament victory in program history for the Tigers, who will now hit the road to play the defending NCAA Division III national champions Saturday — Salisbury University.
H-SC jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the first half Wednesday and outscored the Pioneers 11-3 in the second half.
“I think we got out in transition,” H-SC Head Coach Jason Rostan said, identifying the key to the victory. “We were able to run a little bit. Our face-off guys have been great this year, and I think that was huge for us.”
Tigers senior Jared Arntzen won 18 of 21 face-offs with 12 ground balls, and junior Wilson Booth won 11 of 12 face-offs with four ground balls.
Senior Duncan Morris led the Tigers with six goals.
“He really put the ball away, did a great job for us,” Rostan said.
The coach also praised his goalkeepers.
“Nick Arcuri and Mitch Renfrow kind of split time today, and I thought they both made some really good saves in there,” he said.
On hand to see his son and H-SC triumph was Ray Rostan, who retired last year after a historic 32-year run as head coach of the Tigers.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the team and the coaches, and it’s just been really a blessing the way the season has gone,” the elder Rostan said.
After guiding his team to a conference championship Saturday and having his second child and first son born Monday night, Jason Rostan now prepares for Salisbury.
“I just feel like we’ve really come on as a team in the last two weeks, and I can’t wait,” he said. “I know the guys are excited.”