WINGATE, N.C. | Wingate University scored the final seven goals - three from Austin Murphy - of the match as the Bulldogs rallied for an 8-5 non-conference men's lacrosse victory over Young Harris College Thursday (Feb. 9) afternoon at Graham Gill Field.

The Bulldogs improved to 1-0, while the Mountain Lions slipped to 0-2. Young Harris returns to the YHC Soccer and Lacrosse Field Sunday (Feb. 12) for noon match against No. 20 Rollins College,

The teams battled to a 1-all draw through the first 30 minutes. Alex Lierandi scored for Wingate in the first quarter, while Bruce Silk scored a man-up goal off a Bevan Pate assist in the second quarter for Young Harris.

Silk started the Mountain Lion offensive attack just nine seconds into the second half to give YHC a 2-1 lead. Young Harris, which outshot Wingate 12-4 in the third quarter, jumped out to a 5-1 lead with 3:15 remaining in the period as Sam Gasta scored twice and Colin Fitzpatrick added another score.

The Bulldogs snapped their 40-minute scoreless streak when Daniel Goodwin scored with 15 seconds remaining in the third quarter to close the margin to 5-2. Wingate, which outshot the Mountain Lions 10-1 over the final 15 minutes, held Young Harris without a goal in the final quarter, while finding the back of the net six times.  Conor Gronbach's goal with 6:15 remaining gave the Bulldogs the lead for good 6-5. Wingate added two man-up insurance goals in the final four minutes.

Gasta and Silk led the Mountain Lions with two goals each, while Fitzpatrick added the other. Pate dished out two assists, while Fitzpatrick added one. Matty Ledon, Kerry Ostrowski and Kyle Beverly each scooped up three ground balls as the Mountain Lions held a 27-25 advantage. YHC also had a slim 26-25 lead in shots. Mason King had seven saves in goal for the Mountain Lions.