Harrogate, TN - The Lincoln Memorial men's lacrosse team started the 2024 campaign on the right foot. The Railsplitters are seeking to compete in the most competitive lacrosse conference in division II. Saturday's dominant victory was a nice place to start.

As the game began, it would appear that Chowan would have Lincoln Memorial's number, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Harrison Buckman and Seth McKenzie with assists from Eric George and Erik Dozzi respectively. However, the Railsplitters ripped off five straight goals in response. Rhodes Conroy found the net with 11:12 on the clock on the assist from Daniel Pearl. 30-seconds later, Quinn Hepler got in on the action cutting straight to the frame for an unassisted goal, tying the game at deuces, 2-2.With 8:33 on the clock, Gavin Reid fired a missile that nearly ripped through the net just inside the red line with help from Jenson Jones, giving Lincoln Memorial its first lead of the game, 3-2; a lead it would fail to relinquish for the remainder of the game. Conroy added his second goal of the game with an assist by Pearl. It was the second time the tandem connected to help Lincoln Memorial on offense. Leading 4-2, Alex Winter netted his first goal of the season as Pearl added his third assist of the game, allowing the Railsplitters to take a 5-2 lead. Chowan added two more goals in the first quarter, half of its total for the game. The Railsplitters added one more goal in the first from Cole Morris on the assist from Ashton Wilson to give Lincoln Memorial a 6-4 lead at the first horn.

The second quarter was much quieter, and belonged completely to Lincoln Memorial, outscoring Chowan 4-0. Conroy and Pearl continued to pencil their names into the stat sheet as Conroy added two goals and Pearl added a goal and three assists. Gavin Reid also connected on his second rocket of the game in the periodic rout, allowing the Railsplitters to take a commanding 10-4 lead into the half.

Chowan attempted to fight back to start the third, but resistance was futile. The Hawks netted the first goal of the third period as Thomas Rohal found the net, bringing the score to 10-5. The Railsplitters then rattled of three straight goals. Cole Morris scored his second goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining, extending the Lincoln Memorial lead to 11-5. Daniel Pearl scored his second goal of the game on an assist from Alex Winters, further extending the Railsplitter lead to 12-5. Conroy added another goal to round out the third period, his fifth of the game, as LMU rushed out to a 13-5 lead. With the game firmly in hand, Conroy added another goal to start the fourth period on an assist from Pearl. Pearl then completed the hat trick about thirty seconds later, giving the Railsplitters a commanding 15-5 lead. Each team added three more goals to bring the game to its final score of 18-8. Reid added two goals in the fourth, one assisted by Winters. Kevin Jendrasik added his first goal of the season as well in the fourth quarter on an assist from Conroy.

The Railsplitters will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at home against Virginia State with first face-off slated for 1:00 PM.