Men's Lacrosse opens 2019 Spring Break trip with 6-4 victory over Guilford (N.C.)

By Blake Moore

Greensboro, N.C. — The Ohio Northern men's lacrosse program toppled nonconference foe Guilford (N.C.) 6-4 Sunday afternoon at the Armfield Athletic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina to kick off its 2019 Spring Break trip in winning fashion.

With the victory, the Polar Bears improve to 2-1 overall and extend their current road game win streak to nine games, which dates back to last season. Meanwhile, the Quakers fall to 3-1 overall after dropping their first match of the year.

Senior Anthony Pavone (Bainbridge/Kenston) paced the ONU offense with two goals Sunday afternoon, while junior Cameron Marous (Brecksville) produced a team-high two assists.

Defensively, seniors Drew Fox (Solon) and Evan Corteville (Neward, N.Y.) led the team with four ground balls each. The former also topped the Polar Bears with two caused turnovers.

In goal, senior netminder Alex Pizarro (Boonsboro, Md.) recorded 12 saves and a .750 save percentage en route to his second win this season.

The home side led just once in Sunday's nonconference affair, netting the first goal of the match at the 12:32 mark in the first period.

From there, the Polar Bears rattled off four consecutive goals, including two man-up strikes, over the next 25 minutes. Junior Samuel Neff (Gainesville, Va./Trinity Christian) started the rally with 9:27 remaining in the first quarter before senior Max Weese (Hilliard/Hilliard Darby), Pavone, and senior Nicholas Groves (Fishers, Ind./Bishop Chatard) each found the netting.

The Quakers ended their scoreless drought with 1:25 left in the half, cutting the lead to just two. However, Pavone struck once more in the second frame to give ONU a 5-2 advantage headed into the intermission.

Following the break, Guilford attempted a second-half comeback, scoring two consecutive goals to make the visitor's lead just 5-4 early in the fourth quarter.

With a one goal lead, the Polar Bears locked down defensively, holding the Quakers scoreless for the final 12 minutes of the nonconference affair.

Senior Peter Hardt (Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge) added a late goal with 7:15 remaining in regulation, ensuring Ohio Northern's second win this season.

As a team, ONU out-shot Guilford 44-38 on Sunday afternoon, including an 18-16 edge in shots on goal. Meanwhile, Guilford held an 8-6 advantage in faceoffs.

The Polar Bears will continue their current five-game road stretch Wednesday afternoon with a 3 p.m. clash against Pfeiffer (N.C.). The three-game Spring Break trip will conclude Saturday, March 9 with an 11 a.m. battle at Brevard (N.C.).