The University of Utah Men’s lacrosse team came out on fire against the SMU Mustangs on Saturday in Dallas, Texas. The No. 2 Utes (5-0) scored the first 6 goals of the game and cruised to a 24-2 victory lead by attackman Josh Stout who had 7 goals and 1 assist.
Stout scored the first goal of the game when face-off specialist Michael Abazaid won the opening face-off and led the break, finding Stout who buried it. Stout scored again on a man-up opportunity off an assist from midfielder Cam Redmond. Midfielders Jeremy Sartin, Gus Colonna, and attackman Quinault Mackey all found the back of the net in the first quarter. The Mustangs pulled one back late in the quarter.
To open the second quarter, LSM Chris Belcher picked up a groundball and pushed the pace, finding Stout on the wing who dished to attackman JoJo Olivas who found the back of the net. Olivas scored again when midfielder Reid Lanigan dodged the alley and found Olivas pushing from X. Stout scored from X to give Utah a 9-1 lead late in the half. Midfielder Aaron Fjeldsted scored from the wing on a man-up opportunity to make the score 10-1 to close out the quarter.
Belcher scored the opening goal of the third quarter when Abizaid won the face-off and found Belcher who took it the distance, bouncing it low into the net. Utah continued to push the tempo, playing several players at each position and finding space all over the field. Stout scored the next two goals followed by a goal by midfielder Ian Elson. Stout scored again, his last of the game before a slew of Utes found the score sheet. Attackman Luke Graney, midfielder Jake Stout, Mackey, Graney, attackman Cole Watson, Olivas, and midfielder Matt Fanelli all had goals to make the score 22-2 for the Utes late in the game. The next goal sent the bench ablaze when face-off specialist Jacob Chang won the face-off and took it the distance, getting his first goal as a Ute. Attackmen Bo Powell and Grayson Goodyear finished the scoring when Powell was behind the goal and found Goodyear in front who quick-sticked it in.
“Our guys did a great job of continuing to play Utah lacrosse and not play the scoreboard or the situation,” said Utah Head Coach Brian Holman.
Josh Stout led the team with 7 goals and 1 assist. Olivas had 3 goals. 19 Utes registered at least one point in the win.
The defense was once again in fine form as they stifled the Mustang attack. Goalies Daniel Costa, Zachary Johns and Max Holmes all made big saves, tallying 15 saves as a group. The face-off crew of Abizaid, Collin Leigh, and Chang went 21-30 from the face-off X.
The Utes will host Boise State next Saturday, March 10 at Ute Soccer Field at 1pm MT to open a five-game home stand.
