Bretton Scores Four as Second Half Surge Propels Cobras Over Bears

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker men's lacrosse team picked up a 12-11 come-from-behind victory over the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears in South Atlantic Conference action on Friday (Mar. 13) afternoon. The win improves the Cobras to 3-1 in conference play.

Coker would come out of the blocks slow and trail Lenoir-Rhyne, 9-5, at halftime. However, the Cobras would turn the tide in the second half and rout the Bears over the final 30 minutes of play. Following a Bears' goal at the 10:40 mark in the third, the Cobras would rattle off four unanswered goals to enter the fourth period down one, 10-9.

In the fourth, Coker would knot the score at 10-all after Mike Martiello found the back of the net with 13:40 left in the game. Minutes later the Bears would retake the lead, but Coker would not panic as timely defense would force a turnover that led to a game-tying goal by John Bretton. The Navy and Yellow would use the momentum and Shane Wilson would net the game-winner off an assist from Rylee Marsh to give Coker a 12-11 win.

Bretton led the Cobra offense with four goals, while Wilson had four points on two goals and two assists. Josh Smith added two goals, one assist and scooped up 10 ground balls. Josh Wassum found the back of the net twice, while Martiello scored one goal and handed out two helpers to go along with his seven ground balls. Ryan Vento tallied one goal and Marsh was the silent assassin with four assists.

Defensively, Dylan Marks caused three turnovers and picked up four ground balls, while running mate John Elliott scooped up five ground balls. Tim Ryan made 12 saves and picked three ground balls in 60 minutes of action.

Coker will hit the road for a non-conference game against North Greenville University on Saturday (Mar. 21). The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start

McDonald's Player of the Game – Coker Men's Lacrosse Team