Murfreesboro, N.C. (Mar. 19, 2025)- The Virginia State University Men's Lacrosse team trailed for the final 45 minutes of the game as Chowan University picked up their first win of the season, 13-8.
The Trojans got on the board early scoring two minutes in after Kalani Laughlin found the back of the net after a pass from John Goebel. Chowan would win the following face off and fire off two tough shots that were saved by Jace Wiggins. VSU would get a golden opportunity as Donovan Elmore was able to dodge by his defender and fire off a shot for the near pipe that was just saved by the Hawks goalie. Then with five minutes left in the stanza Elijah Bryant, Miles Jackson and Elmore all fired off shots, before Andre Bigham finally converted for Virginia State again assisted by John Goebel making it a 2-0 game. The Hawks finally got a shot to get pass Wiggins with just under three minutes left. Then with just one second left on the clock Chowan was able to tie the game after a Trojan turnover in their defensive end.
The Hawks then scored three goals in a row after a Hawks player was able to pick up the ricochet shot after a Wiggins save to make it, 3-2 early in the second period. A minute later John Goebel scored his own goal assisted by Andre Bigham after a fast clear attempt. The Hawks retook the lead just 23 seconds later after winning the face off. CU added another goal at the 10-minute mark. After two Chowan penalties VSU was able to score in a man-up opportunity with Laughlin again assisted by John Goebel. VSU then committed a penalty with six minutes left and 20 seconds later Chowan then score a man up goal. Both teams then would fire off shots, but neither could get good opportunities at shots on goal as halftime the score would be 6-4 in favor of Chowan.
Chowan scored two goals within the first five minutes of the third stanza making it an 8-4 game. The Trojans defense then stiffened up and the offense had opportunities to stop the Chowan run but with 5:25 left in the quarter CU added another goal after a VSU turnover. The Hawks won the faceoff and immediately scored another goal, which was followed by another goal opportunity on the following faceoff which was saved by Wiggins. Jackson ended the Hawks run after Elmore and Jesse Goebel shots were wide and high respectfully, with 3:20 left in the quarter. The Hawks once again scored close to the end of the period this time with only 19 seconds left the Hawks netted a goal going into the final 15. minutes up 11-5.
To open the fourth stanza Jayden Reid won the face off and immediately had one thing on his mind as he scored a goal only six seconds into the period. Chowan answered two minutes later. The Hawks continued to grow their lead scoring with 9 minutes left in the game. Elijah Bryant scored 15 seconds into a man-up opportunity for VSU with 6:15 left in the game, but CU would continue to play stout defense and limit the Trojan opportunities for competitive shots on goal.
Virginia State now drops to 2-8 overall and will continue their road trip as they play University of District Columbia on Saturday March 22 at 5 pm.
