Misenheimer, N.C.----The Wingate University men's lacrosse team defeated Pfeiffer University 16-8 Saturday afternoon. With the victory, Wingate improves to 4-3 overall.

Sophomore Ryan Otterblad (Dumfries, Va.) led the Bulldog offense with four goals while junior Kyle Costello (Wilmington, N.C.) dished out a season-high five assists.

Wingate held a 2-0 lead, but Pfeiffer (1-8 overall) tallied a pair of goals with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter to even the score. An unassisted goal from senior Bryan Safarik (Vancouver, B.C.) put the Bulldogs back on top before the period's end.

The Falcons added a third goal early in the second quarter and would take their only lead of the game when freshman Shawn Cross (Cranberry Township, Pa.) scored on a pass from freshman Chuck Batchelor (Wilmington, N.C.) The Pfeiffer edge would be a brief one as Otterblad scored twice in an eight-second span to put Wingate on top for good at 5-4. The Bulldogs stretched the lead to 9-5 at the half and outscored the Falcons 7-3 in the second half.

Freshman Angus Derbyshire (Thurmont, Md.) and sophomore Greg Williams (Woodbridge, Va.) scored three goals each for Wingate. The offensive outing was a career-high for Williams. Safarik and junior Michael Bayliss (Lorton, Va.) each found the net twice. Cross led Pfeiffer with a pair of goals.

Junior David Southers (Manassas, Va.) defended the Bulldog goal with 18 saves. Falcon junior Pat Martin (Leanordtown, Md.) had seven saves. The Bulldogs travel to Queens University of Charlotte for a 7 p.m. regional match-up Wednesday night.

2007-03-26