GAMBIER, Ohio -- The Kenyon men's lacrosse team grinded out a victory over the Wittenberg University Tigers in their closest contest of the season on Saturday at McBride Field. Kenyon's defense held the Tigers to just two goals in the second half of play to hang on for the 7-6 win.
 
In a thrilling conclusion, Wittenberg forced a turnover in the game's final minute to give their offense one last chance to tie. The Tigers were able to score a goal in the ensuing sequence, but the goal was waived off after it was determined that time had already expired.
 
Neither side led by more than two goals throughout the duration of the contest. A step further, neither side was able to sustain a goal streak of more than two at any point of the game.

The man-up unit for Kenyon, which entered Saturday tied for eighth in NCAA Division III in conversion percentage, produced three first-half goals, helping to provide the Lords with a 5-4 advantage after one half of play.
 
Wittenberg scored the first goal of the second half, resulting in a 5-5 score. It was not until sophomore Josh Galardi scored with 1:57 remaining in the third quarter that either team reclaimed the lead.
 
The Lords didn't relinquish that lead for the rest of the game. Junior Robert Jacobs scored with 2:53 to go, giving Kenyon a comfortable 7-5 lead. However, 33 seconds later Wittenberg struck back, but in the end fell one goal short.
 
Galardi scored three goals and two assists to pace the Lords offensively. Jacobs contributed two more goals and an assist. The Lords assisted on all seven of their goals in the game. Patrick Shevelson recorded 16 saves in his ninth win of the season.
 
The 9-2 start for the Lords matches their best start since 2008 and equals the win total from last season. Kenyon moved into third place in the North Coast Atlantic Conference and the Lords will try to keep the pressure on teams ahead of them when they faceoff with Oberlin College at McBride Field on April 13.