Hanover, Ind. – Bryce Lowe scored a season-high four goals and the Transylvania men's lacrosse team opened Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference play with a resounding 19-9 victory over the Hanover College Panthers at Alumni Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The win propels the Pioneers' record to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in league play while the Panthers fall to 2-5 and 0-1 in league play. 

In addition to Lowe, the Pioneers were led on offense by Dalton Hubbs and Ethan Patton, who each recorded hat-tricks in the Transylvania victory.

Transylvania opened the game on fire offensively as five different Pioneers combined to score seven goals in the opening nine minutes of the game. After a goal by Hanover, the Pioneers closed out the quarter with goals by Patton and Kayd Aquino.

The Pioneers continued to share the ball in the second quarter with four Pioneers combining to score five goals, pushing the Transylvania lead to 14-3 at the halftime break.

The Hanover offense displayed signs of life in the third quarter as the Panthers scored three goals, cutting the Transylvania lead to 16-6.

However, the Pioneers kept a tight grasp on the lead throughout the fourth quarter with Hubbs, Toivonen, and Trenton Sneed converting scoring strikes to usher the Pioneers to the 19-9 victory. 

Defensively, T.J. Toivonen led the Pioneers with six ground balls and two caused turnovers. The senior also scored a pair of goals and recorded an assist in the victory. Toivonen now leads the HCLC in ground balls with 45 and caused turnovers with 18.

Transylvania also benefited from strong face-off play on Wednesday. Led by Peyton Bray, who went 22-for-25, the Pioneers were successful on 28-of-32 face-off attempts on the night. Bray also scooped up a team-high 12 ground balls on the night.

The Pioneers are next scheduled to play on Saturday, March 14, for a nonconference matchup against the Capital University Crusaders. Opening face-off between the Pioneers and the Crusaders is set for 1:00 p.m. at Pat Deacon Stadium.

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