Box Score LEXINGTON, Ky.â€"Centre College held off the Pioneers 11-9 in an exciting, physical game Wednesday at newly-named Pat Deacon Stadium.

Back-and-forth they went, each team answering the other's moves in front of a large crowd. The teams were even in nearly every statistical category except man-up goals, which proved to be the difference in the game.

"I'm really proud to watch my team grow and go against a Division III playoff team toe-to-toe," Head Coach Terry Justice said.

Transylvania trailed 9-8 with 9:53 left in the game, before Centre answered with two quick goals on their way to the victory. Zack Riggs bested the Centre goalie from a pass from Clark Watts for Riggs' second goal of the night, pulling the Pioneers within one.

Centre responded with two goals in a span of less than two minutes, all but sealing the win. But, the Pioneers were not ready to quit.

"There was no quit in these Pioneers," Justice said.

Clay Douthat netted his fourth goal of the night at the 1:58 mark in the game for the final score.

"Very happy to finally get Clay back," Justice said. "Clay is a very strong and steadying force for our team. He makes the players around him better."

Centre jumped out to a 2-0 lead, before Douthat and the Pioneer offense got going. Douthat recorded a team-high four goals on the night.
The Pioneers got on the board with 4:56 left in the first quarter on Douthat's first goal of the night.  The Pioneers scored again less than two minutes into the second quarter to tie the game at two on a goal from Evan Wright.
Then, it was Centre's turn. The Colonels sprang two straight goals just over a minute apart and quickly held another two-point advantage, 4-2.  The Pioneers, then, responded with three unanswered goals and gained a 5-4 lead over Centre, their only lead of the game.

Douthat sank two straight and Riggs added his first goal of the night, giving the Pioneers the advantage with 4:49 left in the first half.

Again, Centre responded closing the half with two more goals to regain a 6-5 lead at the break.

Both teams held each other in check to open the second half of play, before the Colonels capitalized on a man-up opportunity coming off a Transylvania penalty, extending their lead to, 7-5, with 8:50 left in the third quarter.

The Pioneers pulled the game back to, within one, less than a minute later, with a goal from Ben Erwin on a pass from Watts.

Centre took advantage of another man-up opportunity, before Watts netted a goal of his own as the teams headed into the final quarter of play.

"All of our defensive players really stepped up their game in their intensity," Justice said.

The Pioneers host Wilmington College of Ohio Saturday at Pat Deacon Stadium. The game is set for noon.