Gatlinburg, Tenn. (Feb. 15, 2025)-The Virginia State University Men's Lacrosse team played a neutral sight game in Gatlinburg against Tusculum Univeristy and a slow fourth quarter resulted in a 17-13 loss for the Trojans. 

After Jayden Reid won the opening face-off, the Trojans only needed 23 seconds to get on the board as Jesse Goebel found his brother John Goebel for a goal. A minute later Andre Bigham picked up the ground ball on the face-off and a minute later added his sixth goal of the season to put VSU up early 2-0. At the 10:35 mark Kalani Laughlin added his fifth goal of the year. The Pioneers, however, finished the quarter strong, scoring three goals in four minutes. 

Bigham scored 48 seconds into the second stanza. TU would score three of the last four goals with Devray Kirkland II adding one goal for the Trojans. The Pioneers added the last first half goal with only 16 seconds left in the half to go into halftime up 6-5. Opening the third quarter VSU scored four straight goals in less than two minutes. Tusculum would score six of the next seven goals holding a 12-10 advantage with the fourth quarter remaining. 

Bigham scored five minutes into the period to make it a one goal game, 12-11. TU scored two quick goals before Donovan Elmore scored a man up goal to make it 14-12. The Pioneers added three more goals, and Bigham netted the last goal to reach double digits for the season with 10. 

VSU will return home to take on Roberts Wesleyan on Wednesday February 19 at 1 pm inside Rogers Stadium.