Richmond, Va.---Defending national champion and pre-season number one New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) defeated Wingate University 18-9 in NCAA Division II men's lacrosse action Sunday afternoon. The contest was played at the Collegiate School in Richmond.

Wingate falls to 0-2 overall on the young season. Both Bulldog opponents were ranked in the NCAA Division II top 10 (number three C.W. Post was the other foe). The Wingate contest was the 2009 season opener for NYIT.

After the Bears took a 2-0 lead, Wingate senior attack Greg Williams (Woodbridge, Va.) scored on an assist from classmate Ryan Otterblad (Dumfries, Va.) at the 10:34 mark of the first quarter.

Five minutes later, Wingate had a man-up advantage against East Coast Conference members. The Bulldogs had a golden opportunity to tie the contest, but redshirt senior midfielder Mark Hodsdon (Hilton Head, S.C.) had a shot hit the post.

New York Tech answered with an eight-goal flurry to put the game on ice. The run ended at the 6:58 plateau of the second quarter with a goal by junior attack Matt Sullivan (West Islip, N.Y.). The Bears led 12-4 at intermission.

Sullivan led the defending national champions with three goals and three assists (six points). Junior attack Austin Carino (Huntington, N.Y.) and senior attack Keith Henderson (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) had four goals each. Carino added one assist.

Otterblad led Wingate with one goal and four assists for five points. Williams was one of three Bulldogs with two goals on the afternoon. Graduate student attack man Mike Bayliss (Lorton, Va.) and sophomore attack Billy Mutton (Mechanicsville, Va.) both added two goals each for the 2008 Deep South Conference regular season champions.

Wingate returns home Saturday for its third game in a row against a top five team. The Bulldogs entertain number four Mercyhurst (Pa.) University at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field. First face-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. NYIT opens the home portion of its 2009 slate Sunday, entertaining Saint Anselm (N.H.) College at 12 noon.

2009-02-23