Fall victory

Lacrosse sets the Colonials on fire

A cold, rainy and windy afternoon proved to be a negative factor for both the Liberty Flames and the George Washington Colonials lacrosse teams Saturday, Oct. 12. While the elements were against them, the Flames were able to pull out an 11-8 victory due to a second quarter surge.

Locked in —  A Liberty player winds up for a shot. Photo credit: Ruth Bibby

Locked in — A Liberty player winds up for a shot. Photo credit: Ruth Bibby

With 9:49 remaining in the first quarter, Liberty scored first with a goal from midfielder Stephan Schnabel. However, the Colonials answered with a goal of their own from attacker Lars Chinburg, tying the game at one. Moments later, Chinburg added his second goal, giving the Colonials the lead.

Although George Washington held possession for most of the first quarter, Chad Moore put another goal in the net for the Flames with 2:31 left.

“When it’s rainy and wet, it always takes everybody some time to see what their stick is doing differently,” Head Coach Kyle McQuillian said. “So for us to adjust and adapt to our surroundings took us a while. We really never got rolling, there was a little (momentum) in the second quarter … but I’m not sure if we completely found our rhythm.

In the second quarter, the Flames were able to string together multiple goals to gain a cushion over the Colonials. Midfielder Bryce Mrakovich and attacker Ryan Miller led the barrage, scoring four of the Flames’ five goals that quarter.

Goalie Ethan Kamholtz and the defense were stingy, only allowing one goal in the quarter. They also neutralized Chinburg for the rest of the game.

“Kamholtz was the best addition we had last year,” McQuillian said. “I think he is going to continue to be that for us. I think people underestimate having a strong goalie … We are going to rely (on him) a great deal this season, especially since our transition to Division I (DI).”

By halftime, Liberty held a 7-3 lead, but the Colonials fought back. In the third quarter the Colonials scored three goals, including two from attacker Charles Frattini.

The Flames were able to put one goal on the board and held a slim 8-6 lead heading into the fourth.

Liberty capitalized on penalties and miscues from the Colonials. With 6:22 left in the game, the Flames pushed their margin to three goals when they scored with a man advantage.

Three minutes later, attacker Kurt Tobias put another goal through the net after Mrakovich slashed through the defense and found Tobias open five yards away from the goalbox.

(T)his is the first time we could do anything this season,” McQuillan said. “It shows us a lot that we need to work on once we get to the spring. It is always a success when you come away with a victory.”

The Flames and Colonials are newly formed conference foes since Liberty moved up to DI in the South Eastern Lacrosse Conference. They will play each other again April 5, 2014.

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