MOC men's lacrosse launch inaugural season in dominating fashion

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 18, 2013 1:47 PM

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By RUDY COGGINS

News-Argus Sports Editor

MOUNT OLIVE -- Young Harris (Ga.) College just couldn't "Shield" itself from Mount Olive's offensive onslaught on a snowy Saturday afternoon.

Junior Daniel Shields logged a hat trick and finished with a game-high seven goals in the Trojans' 24-5 triumph over the Mountain Lions at Amon Field.

Brother Matt Shields, a freshman, provided five goals in his collegiate debut as MOC launched its first-ever men's lacrosse season in dominating fashion.

"They played very well together, they were moving well, seeing the field, getting their goals and when the slides were coming, they got some assists as they got everybody involved in the game, too," first-year Mount Olive head coach Michael Murphy said.

The Shields combined for seven assists and nine MOC players accounted for at least one goal apiece against Young Harris, a first-year junior college program that dropped to 1-1 overall this season.

The Trojans collected six or more goals in three of four periods.

"We played very well, came out on fire, made the right passes and right decisions and started putting some goals in the net early," said Murphy, whose team attempted 52 shots on the day.

JUCO transfer Jake Duarte punched in the Trojans' first goal 81 seconds into the opening period. An extra-man advantage for an illegal stick led to Mount Olive's next two goals -- one each by freshman midfielder Blake Bennett and Duarte.

MOC led 3-0 less than three minutes into the match.

Matt and Daniel Shields combined for the next six goals as the Trojans' advantage swelled to 9-1 after 15 minutes of play. They continued to control the face-off, picked up ground balls and extended their lead to 16-2 at halftime.

"We were aggressive, physical, got ground balls and talked well," Murphy said.

Young Harris tallied three of its five goals in an extra-man situation. The Trojans committed 16 penalties. Mike Matthews led the Mountain Lions with two goals.

MOC keeper Rocky Bowman had seven saves.

"When we do the right things, we can be very successful," Murphy said. "When we got a little creative on our own, we got some penalties that slowed us down and knocked us off our game. As more kids came off the bench, the play deteriorated a little bit, but it's good everyone got on the field."

Mount Olive (1-0 overall) travels to in-state foe Catawba on Wednesday, and returns home Feb. 23 against Wingate.