Lacrosse Sets Record For Goals Scored in Opening Rout of Lees-McRae

SALISBURY, NC -- Catawba opened its 2012 men’s lacrosse season in record fashion in topping visiting Lees-McRae 29-5 on Saturday afternoon at Shuford Stadium and Kirkland Field.  The 29 goals establish a new a school record for the Catawba Indians, surpassing the old mark of 25 set against Marietta in 1999 and tied against Lees-McRae in 2004.  It was the opener for both teams.

Catawba got goals from 17 different players with Braden Artem (Action, Ontario, CANADA/Christ the King HS), Steven Ridolfo (Charlotte, NC/Providence HS/Gettysburg) and Tom Cullop (New Windsor, MD/S. Carroll HS) each scoring three times.  Artem and Cullop each added a pair of assists.  Danny Ives (Manchester, ENGLAND) had a pair of goals for the Bobcats.

Catawba led 9-0 after the opening quarter.  Trevor Sieracki (Austin, TX/Anderson HS) got the Indians started just a minute into the contest.  Artem and Ridolfo each scored twice in the frame.  The Indians would go on top 18-2 by the break.

The Indians dominated play, outshooting Lees-McRae 72-19.  Catawba also picked up 62 ground balls to 32 for the Bobcats and won 24 of 35 face-offs.  Daniel Couchenhour (Fort Mill, SC/Nations Ford HS) won 15 of his 18 face-offs.  Cullop led the way with eight ground balls, with Freddie Turcio (Guilford, CT/Guilford HS) and Heartland Jones (Raleigh, NC/Ravenscroft HS) each adding five. 

Michael Pecchia (Coquitlam, BC, CANADA/Heritage Woods) played the first half in goal for the Indians, he made no saves.  Pete Wesselman (Charlotte, NC/Providence HS/Stevenson) recorded three saves in the third quarter, while Christian Klimczyk (Linthicum, MD/Cardinal Gibbons School) played the final quarter and stopped one shot.  Ryan Harrison (Lake Mary, FL) played 46 minutes in goal for the Bobcats, recording 17 saves.

VIDEO: Cullop Discusses Wins and Upcoming Game

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