Anderson, IN - Yesterday, the Hanover College men's lacrosse team traveled up to Anderson, IN to take on Anderson University in their second HCLC match-up of the year. HC headed into the game boasting a 7-3 record overall, but had yet to tally their first conference win having lost their first HCLC match-up at home. Prior to their game against the Ravens, the Panthers had been on a 5-0 win streak on the road this season, with an average goal differential of +10.8 on the road this season.

As the game got underway, the Ravens would be the team to strike first after the first two minutes of action. The first quarter would prove to be a classic inter-conference match-up as both teams struggled to generate offense for the majority of the quarter. Hanover was finally able to respond with about five minutes left in the first, thanks to an assist from senior midfielder Owen Cuniffe to senior attackman Alex Kleinhelter on the backside.

Anderson won the next face-off and quickly reclaimed their one goal lead at 2-1 and maintained this lead until the near end of the first. Hanover struggled to get going offensively but found a way to keep the scoreboard tied up just before the second quarter when senior midfielder Owen Parker spotted junior attackman Ethan Abdoo through the defense for a Panther goal with only eighteen seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

The second quarter went on to be the most exciting fifteen minutes of scoring-action all night. Hanover was able to regroup in their huddle during the quick water-break and the offense came out humming. Freshman midfielder Kasey Hospelhorn was able to win the face-off to begin the quarter, leading to a quick shot for the Panthers that rang off the pipe (which happened frequently all night). HC was able to recover the ground ball and Kasey Hospelhorn finished off the play with an unassisted goal down the right alley.

Hanover rattled off five more unanswered goals over the next five minutes of action. Senior midfielder Owen Cuniffe was the next man up to score for the boys in blue, hammering a step down from 13 out near the left alley. Sophomore midfielder Gabe Hetrick came flying down the field just thirty seconds later on a clear and went coast-to-coast all on his own, putting the Panthers up 5-2.

Freshman midfielder Kasey Hospelhorn came back down the field after another Anderson turnover moments later and scored another unassisted goal. Senior attackman Alex Kleinhelter added to the run as well, and Kasey Hospelhorn tallied his third hat-trick of the season with eight minutes to go in the first half.

The Ravens were finally able to slow the bleeding a bit after winning the next face-off, and trailed the Panthers 8-3. HC responded with three more goals of their own, starting with junior attackman Ethan Abdoo off a feed from senior attackman Alex Kleinhelter. Senior midfielder Owen Parker would net his first goal of the night a few minutes later, unassisted, and senior midfielder Owen Cuniffe stung one top left, this time assisted by freshman midfielder Kasey Hospelhorn.

Anderson persisted and continued to try and chip away at the looming 10-3 lead, and found two more scoring opportunities in the final minute of the first half, cutting the deficit to six at 11-5 heading into the break.

The second half of play was the same story, but slightly slower paced. Hanover proceeded to outscore the Ravens at a two-to-one ratio, starting with junior attackman Colin O'Brien burying one in the first thirty seconds of the second half off an assist from Kasey Hospelhorn. The next two Panther goals were scored by senior attackman Alex Kleinhelter on two incredible displays of individual effort.

Junior attackman Ethan Abdoo scored his third goal of the night nearing the end of the third thanks to a great feed from senior midfielder Owen Parker.

Hanover's final two goals of the game came in the fourth quarter as freshman attackman Dean Henderson got to the cage unassisted, and senior midfielder Owen Parker capped off the scoring off an assist from senior attackman Alex Kleinhelter.

The Panthers defense also showed some impressive flashes on their end of the field in route to their 17-8 victory over AU. Senior goalkeeper Lance Guttormson tallied 9 total saves on 29 shots faced, and senior defenseman Scott Dues provided proved to once again be a consistent option on the clear while picking up 4 ground-balls and causing a turnover. Freshman defenseman Leonard Hughes also added to his impressive season total by adding 3 ground-balls and 2 caused turnovers to his resume. Leonard Hughes and Scott Dues currently lead the team in caused turnovers with 21 a piece, and Hughes leads the defensive unit in ground balls with 55 on the season.

Hanover will take the field again this Saturday, April 12th, facing off against the Spalding University Golden Eagles at home. First face-off is scheduled for 1:00PM EST in Alumni Stadium.

Statistical Standouts from the contest for the Panthers include:
Owen Parker (Sr, MF) - 4 Pts | 10 GB | 2 CTO
Alex Kleinhelter (Sr, A) - 6 Pts | 4 GBw
Kasey Hospelhorn (Fr, MF) - 5 Pts | 6 GB | 67% FO