HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (April 3, 2002)-Hampden-Sydney?s seventh-ranked lacrosse team defeated ODAC-foe Virginia Wesleyan, 9-6, Wednesday afternoon to pick up its eighth straight victory. The win moves the Tigers to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the ODAC as the Marlins fall to 5-5 and 1-2.

Sophomore attack Matt Fassnacht (Fairfax, VA) scored three goals, while Chris Lucas (Fairfax Station, VA) picked up two goals and an assist and Jason Rostan (Farmville, VA) had a goal and two assists for the Tigers. Sophomore keeper Jeremy Bull (Raleigh, NC) came up big in the goal for the Tigers, recording 11 saves, his sixth double-digit save effort of the season.

The game was tied, 1-1, after the first quarter, but the Tigers broke the game open with a five-goal barrage in the second quarter. Phil Dick (Salem, VA) started off the scoring in the second quarter followed by a Fassnacht a put-back off the Virginia Wesleyan goalkeeper. John Neal (Richmond, VA) scored his only goal of the game at the 6:51 mark followed by two Chris Lucas strikes. Brian Fox scored a pair of goals for the Marlins in the second quarter to make it 6-3 in favor of the Tigers at the break.

In the third quarter, Jason Story scored for the Marlins to cut the Tiger lead to two, 6-4, but Hamdpen-Sydney battled back with a goal by Fassnacht with 8:26 remaining. Moments later, Paul Pavon added his only goal of the game for Virginia Wesleyan to make it 7-5 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth, Jason Rostan scored to push the Tiger lead back to three goals, 8-5, and the Marlins again answered with 6:19 to play as Jay Smith scored an unassisted goal. Later, with 4:55 remaining in the game, Wilson MacIlwaine (Charlottesville, VA) scored to shut the door on the Marlins upset hopes and the Tigers held on for the 9-6 victory.

Hampden-Sydney held an advantage in shots, 38-24, and ground balls, 37-34, while the team won 13 of 18 faceoffs. The Tigers also converted 50 percent of their extra-man opportunities, keeping their season average at the .500 mark.