Lynchburg, Va. — The University of Lynchburg men’s lacrosse team is set for a pair of nationally ranked clashes at the Callum Robinson Mustang Classic, facing the likes of host Stevenson on Friday, March 14 at 8:30 p.m. and Christopher Newport on Saturday, March 15 at 4 p.m.
The No. 16/13 Hornets (2-2) have opened up the season with three of their four games against nationally ranked opponents. Last Sunday, Lynchburg took down then-ranked No. 16/16 Denison with an assertive 15-9 victory, scoring the first seven goals of the affair. Fifth year midfielder Jake Rust headlined the Hornets’ performance with six goals, four of which came in the opening seven-tally stretch, which earned him a spot on USILA Team of the Week.
First up on the upcoming slate is No. 14/14 Stevenson. Since 1999, the Hornets slightly trail in the series with the Mustangs, 8-7. Although Stevenson has a narrow edge in the series in the last 26 years, Lynchburg has claimed victory in each of the last four meetings, most recently with a 15-9 finish on March 15, 2024.
The Mustangs currently sit at 19th in DIII in scoring offense and points per game, averaging 15.2 goals per outing and 24.2 points per contest. Junior attackman Max Racich has been the most productive offensive producer thus far for Stevenson, having two-or-more goals in each of the team’s six games and a hat trick in four competitions. He paces the squad with 20 goals and 25 points through six games. Sophomore netminder Tyler Merchant allows 11.4 goals per game with a save percentage of .507.
The next day, Lynchburg squares off against No. 4/5 Christopher Newport for the ninth occasion since 2010. The Hornets also trail in that series by one, 5-4. Opposite to the series against Stevenson, Lynchburg has dropped each of the last four affairs against CNU, most recently losing 11-9 on March 23, 2024. The Captains have won seven consecutive games to open the season, including one nationally ranked team in Stevenson, who was then ranked No. 18.
Christopher Newport has a high powered offense as well with the third-most points per game (29.43) and the fourth-best scoring offense (18.14 goals per game) in DIII this season. Sophomore attack Kevin Miller is the guiding hand, leading the team in points with 41 and assists with 25. Junior attackman Jamie Smith paces the squad in goals with 25 through seven games.
The Captains’ faceoff unit, lead by senior specialist Warner Cabaniss, boasts a win percentage at the X of .693 percent, which ranks 20th in the nation in DIII. Cabaniss is 81-120 (.675 percent) on the draw this season while his counterpart, sophomore Grant Giunchi, has won 46-58 (.793 percent) faceoffs so far this season. Junior goaltender Mason Bellinger touts a save percentage of .592 this season, allowing 8.68 goals per contest.
Lynchburg’s high-powered offense has been effective so far this season, scoring nine-or-more goals in each of its four outings and 13-or-more in the last three contests. Rust leads the way with 14 total points on 13 goals and one assist. Sophomore middie Liam Holman (9 goals, 2 assists) and junior attackman Riley Hastings (6g, 5a) have 11 points apiece. Fifth year midfielder Grant Voigt has tallied five assists and four goals through four games this season. Junior faceoff specialist Riley Frankel has been productive on the draw, winning 46-70 (.657) at the X.
Following this weekend’s events, the Hornets will return home for their first ODAC competition of the season when Virginia Wesleyan visits Shellenberger Field on Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m.
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