Owls steam through Moccasins

This article is originally from KSU Sentinel.

In game one of their fall season-opening doubleheader on Sat., Sept. 27, the KSU men’s lacrosse team defeated the visiting Moccasins of the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga by a score of 14-4.

The Owls came into this season trying to improve on a mark of 5-8 from last year as well as getting the newcomers and freshmen on the team some needed playing time in order to get acclimated to the college game.

The Mocs struck first taking an early 0-2 advantage but the Owls came back with two quick strikes to pay back UTC for rattling their cages. KSU’s defense was on point, pressing the UTC attack with stiff cross checks and swarming to the ball to gain clear after clear. Near the end of the first quarter, KSU converted their defensive physicality into offensive momentum, scoring three goals in the closing minute to give them a 6-3 lead that they would not lose.

The Owls took the tone they set in the first quarter and used it to lead the Mocs down the path to defeat, executing almost flawlessly on defense when UTC entered their zone. The Owls allowed one additional goal to the Mocs with sophomore goalie Noah Rosenblum shutting out UTC in the second half and recording ten saves.

With the defense keeping UTC out of the net, KSU went on the attack, capitalizing on a frustrated Mocs defense to send home eight more goals.  The KSU offense outshot UTC, 25-9, with junior midfielder Charles Roland, freshman attackman Manny Savas, and sophomore midfielders Jonny Slutzky and Isom White leading KSU’s scoring with two goals each.

Coach Ken Byers spoke well of his crew, “We played deep into our lineup where everybody got plenty of time… [UTC was] good competition for our freshmen players.” 

Sophomore midfielder Isom White said of his new teammates, “We have a lot of freshmen who showed their stuff out here today.”