Trojans' Corkin sets career high against Converse

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 21, 2015 11:28 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Candace Corkin unpacked her "magic stick" and had a fantasy-like game that most lacrosse players dream about on Saturday afternoon.

Corkin posted a natural hat trick (three consecutive goals) within the first six minutes and punched in a career-high six goals overall during the University of Mount Olive's 18-0 dismantling of Conference Carolinas foe Converse (S.C.) College at Amon Field.

"The team moved the ball around really well together and when the opportunity presented itself, I took advantage of it and did what I could," said Corkin, who converted six of eight attempts on goal and tied the single-game goal record set by Katie McGovern in 2014.

Eight players recorded either a goal or an assist for the Trojans, who owned a mind-boggling 36-0 advantage in total shots -- including 27 within three yards of the crease.

Junior Riann Daziel, tied second nationally in total goals scored, collected four goals on the day. McGovern dominated the midfield draw during the 60-minute affair and supplied a hat trick. Claire Wigler contributed two goals and two assists.

Sophomore attacker Alexa Milus provided two goals and an assist. Alysha Kulka notched one goal, while Alanna Bauche handed out the assist on Corkin's career record-setting goal.

"Team play is something that we focus on throughout the year, we were able to get everybody in and you still saw those assisted goals coming in late in the day," Trojans head coach Grant Kelam said. "No one was being selfish, but gracious with the ball ... sharing it a lot and that's honestly what we like to see."

UMO led 10-0 at halftime.

Meanwhile, Converse (5-5 overall, 2-3 CC) could never find an open seam against the nation's second-ranked defense. The Trojans' suffocating scheme constantly forced the Valkyries' attackers to turn away from the goal. Turnovers and the inability to control ground balls haunted Converse, which endured its first shutout in 110 matches.

"Oh wow," Kelam said of his team's remarkable defensive achievement.

"They (Converse) have their systems and they know them. Defensively, we are high pressure, want (the opponent) to turn the ball over and limit our turnovers on offense. When you've got a great goalie like Hannah (Knight), she earns it every day and we were able to finally get that (shutout) for her which was very important to us."

The Trojans (10-2, 4-0) remained unbeaten in six home games this season. They entertain in-state conference foe Belmont Abbey on Wednesday at 4 p.m.