WASHINGTON - The Catholic University of America men's lacrosse team defeated Randolph-Macon in a rough 10-6 contest on Sunday, pulling away in the fourth quarter to a 10-6 win in Ashland, Va.

According to CUA men's lacrosse head coach Brooks Singer, the team was determined "to carry momentum into a game where we had to overcome adversity."

Despite coming off two wins in the start of their season, the Cardinals got off to a rough start in the first quarter when they allowed a Yellow Jackets goal within the first minute of play. They allowed one more before sophomore midfielder Victor Licata (Towson, Md. / Loyola-Blakefield) put the team on the board, entering the second quarter down 2-1. Junior goalie Harrison Holak (Doylestown, Pa. / Central Bucks East) made eight total saves in the first quarter, keeping the Cardinals away from an unmanageable goal deficit.

Catholic picked up their game significantly in the second stanza, creating more scoring opportunities and ball movement on offense. Sophomore attack Jack Oakes (Downingtown, Pa. / Bishop Shanahan) tied the game at two, with an assist from sophomore midfielder Matt Derasmo (Centerport, N.Y. / Harborfields). The opposing Yellow Jackets responded two minutes later with a goal, but the Cardinals were determined not to end the half down. Sophomore attack Tony Fisher (Ardmore, Pa. / Lower Merion) scored with just over two minutes left in the second frame to tie the game at three, with freshman midfielder Jonathan Curran (Ridgefield, Conn. / Ridgefield) on the assist.

The teams fought for the lead in the third quarter, scoring a total of six goals throughout the 15:00 minutes of play. Licata struck first within one minute after halftime with an assist from sophomore midfielder Ethan Rodriguez (Miami, Fla. / Belen Jesuit Prep).

Randolph-Macon tied the game at four one minute later with a man-up goal by Sam Mayer.

Licata struck for a third time for the 5-4 lead, but was matched by yet another man-up Randolph-Macon goal by Nolan Clark. The Yellow Jackets took the 6-5 lead, capping off their scoring for the day.

The Cardinals responded with senior attack Brian Keith's (King of Prussia, Pa. / Archbishop Carroll) scoring a goal from senior midfielder Chris Wellock (Wyomissing, Pa. / Wyomissing). The score read 6-6 as the teams headed into the fourth quarter.

"Once we opened up the transition game and we were not penalized, we were able to pull away in the fourth quarter," Singer said.

Rodriguez scored from Licata in the 13th minute, taking the Cardinals to a 7-6 lead. Sophomore middie John Blee (Ellicott City, Md. / Mt. St. Joseph) took Catholic to eight, with an assist from Wellock. Goals by Curran and senior attack-middie Billy Kirmsse (Moorestown, N.J. / Moorestown) occurred within the last five minutes of play, sealing the 10-6 win for the Cardinals.

Holak made a total of 13 saves on the day. The Cardinals also went 16-16 on clears. Catholic managed to hold their own in the extremely physical matchup.

"Harrison played big on man down and especially at the end of the game," said Singer. "We matched their physicality and we will continue to work hard to get better as a team."

Now 3-0, the Cardinals will host Hampden-Sydney on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 4:00 p.m. at Cardinals Stadium.

written by Colleen Loftus, Student Communications Assistant