Lacrosse opens season with two wins

This article is originally from KSU Sentinel.

The KSU men’s lacrosse team opened the 2007 season with victories over UT-Chattanooga and Middle Tennessee State on Saturday and Sunday.

In Saturday’s game, the Owls never allowed UT-Chattanooga as they imposed their will early on in the match on their way to a 16-3 victory.

In Sunday’s game, the Owls had a tighter contest.

With the score tied at three early in the first period, the Owls scored two quick goals after a Middle Tennessee penalty.

Middle Tennessee came back however, and tied the score.

“Today was a tight game,” said Owls’ head coach Ken Byers.

Both teams went back and forth until the Owls gained control in the fourth period to pull ahead for good.

“I was pleased with the team defense and the scoring offense,” Byers said.

The Owls stopped three different Middle Tennessee attempts to score late in the fourth period, as they cleared the ball and ran time off of the clock to take home the victory 12-10.

“It’s always nice to get a win,” Byers said. “It’s better to take a step forward than a step back.”

Byers said that although he was happy with the win, he feels his team still needs some improvement.

“We have to perform in close games,” Byers said. “We need to have a little more self-control and we have to handle the ball better in pressure situations.”

The Owls were led by JD Douthit with three goals and four assists, Robert Witt with four goals and two assists, and Ian Lehrer with two goals.

Next up for the Owls is Southeastern Lacrosse League rival, Alabama, Saturday at the KSU Intramural Field. Play is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

For more information on upcoming lacrosse games, go to www.ksulax.com.