Our Pioneers played today in a high energy game against Birmingham Southern University, this game also doubled as an early Senior Day for the Pioneers. After Lexington faced severe weather the night before, Lexington today couldn't have been in better shape for the celebration of our Seniors. The day couldn't have gone better for the Pioneers as they used the motivation of senior day to will them to an exciting victory over BSC 10-8.

This game started off hot for the Pioneers getting into the action early with 4 unmatched goals, setting the tone early and looking like a different team. Luke Stetter got the scoring started for the Pioneers opening up play from all sides of the field as BSC picked their poison. Freshman Casey Fagan joined the fray netting the next goal which was a good site for the Pioneers hoping this young star will shine the remainder of the season as he scored 2 more in the second half earning himself his first career hat trick. The rest of the scoring for the first half came from two seniors who came to play, one being the usual suspect, Dalton Hubbs who scored two back to back then followed by Senior, Seiver Utsey. Utsey scored back to back as well before the Pios hit halftime which put the Pioneers in the driver's seat ending at 6-5. 

The Second half was just as exciting with fantastic defense getting stop after stop to halt momentum built from BSC. BSC had 27 turnovers which itself shows the power Defense brings to the team dynamic including the trust each player has with substitutions and how everyone does their job. Not just causing turnovers but clearing well is the mark of a disciplined team and one that has patience when advancing the ball. The Pioneers had an insane clear percentage at 94% going 29 of 31 only failing 2 clears. This is on top of great Goalie play with Topher Hays settling into his role with an impressive 17 saves with a season high in that category along with a season high in shots faced. Fagan and Hubbs continued their attack, ending the game in the hands of Hubbs who got his 4th goal of the day with less than a minute left. This game ended in the Pioneers favor as well as earning their first win of the season. After the game head coach Logan Otto had this to say

This was an outstanding game for our team against a gritty and talented BSC squad. Topher Hays was a brick wall in the net and Dalton Hubbs was outstanding on both sides of the ball. It was good to see others step up to make an impact. Benjamin Marcum had a tough assignment and did a great job covering one of the best attackmen in our region. I am so proud of these guys!

We here at Transylvania honor our student athletes who put in their time and effort on and off the field and in this case it is no different with this incredible senior class. So let's meet our Seniors:    

First, we have #1 Will Warner from Louisville, KY. Will is escorted by his parents Jim and Stacy Warner and his brother Nick Warner. He majors in Marketing and plans to work in digital marketing in Louisville after graduation. While at Transy, Will has also been a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. When asked for his favorite memory, he said: Meeting all of my guys as well as upsetting Illinois Wesleyan in our first year in the CCIW. For his thank you, he says: I would like to thank my parents for all the tournaments and lacrosse camps they took me to for me to reach this point, as well as Coach Terry Justice and Coach Otto for allowing me the chance to play at Transylvania. 

Our next senior is #4 Ethan Krammer from Palo Heights, IL. Ethan is escorted by his mom Maryellen Krammer and his siblings Rowan and Liam Krammer. He is a Writing, Rhetoric, & Communication major with plans to work for a film studio or in a writer's room, in the hopes of writing and directing his own stories. While at Transy, Ethan has also been a member of the Kappa Alpha Order and served as the former President and Head of Diversity and Inclusion. When asked for his favorite memory, he said: Reaching the CCIW championship in our first year in the conference, and Jack Babb randomly yelling "Big Piggy" on the bus last year. For his final thanks, Ethan said: Shoutout Coach Otto, Shoutout Coach Toivonen, Shoutout Coach Justice, Shoutout Coach Stew, Shoutout Professor Gary Deaton; the "King of Transy," and a BIG shoutout to Mason McCauley, the greek advisor of Kappa Alpha, for never doubting my true character when others did. And a special thank you to my parents. You taught me to chase my dreams, how to work hard to reach them, and to always believe. No matter how impossible it all might seem to me, it never seems impossible to you.

Up next, we have #7, AJ Teague from Cincinnati, OH. Lisa, Mike, and Bree Teague, and Emily, Tim, Alaina, and Rylee Allen. AJ is an Education and Social Change major and his plan after college is to start teaching high school special education and coach lacrosse. While at Transy, he was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. When asked for his favorite memory, he says: My favorite memory playing lacrosse would be my freshman year at Sewanee when I told coach Justice to give me a short stick and ended up scoring a buzzer beat right before half. For his final thank yous, he says: I would like to thank my family, coaches, teammates, and friends for all of the support they have given me through my five years at Transy. I would also like to give a shout out to my athletic trainers for putting up with me over the years.

The next senior for the Pioneers is #14 Dylan Mordhorst from Centerville, VA. He is escorted by his parents John and Maria Mordhorst as well as his brother Brendan. Dylan is a computer science major and served as the vice president of the hammock club while at Transy. When asked for his favorite memory, Dylan said: Transferring in my junior year and being welcomed with open arms by the team. For his final thank you, he would like to say: Thanks to Coach Otto for bringing me here and shoutout to my coding buddy Ryan Geisler. 

Up next, we have #18, Chase Parker from St. Louis, MO. He is escorted by his parents Susan and Stewart Parker. Chase is a marketing major and plans to stay in Kentucky after graduation and find a job in marketing or logistics. While at Transy, he was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Order and the Wings Up Club. When asked for his favorite memory, he said: Coming back to beat Rhodes sophomore year and doing Karaoke on the bus. For his final thank you, he would like to say: Thank you to my parents for supporting me, Coach Justice and Coach Otto for bringing me to Lexington and all my other coaches for helping me become the player and man I am today. 

Our next senior is #20, Dalton Hubbs from Louisville, KY. He is escorted by his parents Ann and Jim Hubbs. Hubbs is a Business Management major, and plans to hopefully continue his athletic career in graduate school. He has also been a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. When asked for his favorite memory, he said: scoring 9 goals against Rhodes last year. For his final thank you, he says: Thank you to my parents for allowing me the opportunity to play the sport I love and thank you to Coach Justice and Coach Otto for recruiting me to play for this program. 

The next senior for the Pioneers is #28, Seiver Utsey from Louisville, KY. He is escorted by his parents Sandra and Darren Utsey. Seiver is a biology major with plans to attend medical school after graduation. While at Transy, he was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. When asked for his favorite memory, he said: Having the opportunity to not only play with, but be coached by Coach Peyton, Tj, and Kayd. For his final thank you, he says: I would like to give a special thanks to my mother and father as they have been my backbone, supporting me through whatever endeavor I willingly or unwillingly encounter.

Our final senior for the Pioneers is #38, Evan Deskins from Lexington, KY. He is escorted by his parents, Julia and Eric, and his siblings Kate and Nicholas. Evan is a Health and Exercise Science major who is considering becoming a Coast Guard rescue swimmer or firefighter after graduation. While at Transy, he was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. When asked for his favorite memory, he said: All the bus rides and team dinners that were filled with great laughs and stories. For his final thank you, Evan says: I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for pushing me to be the best version of myself and supporting me every step of the way. I wouldn't be the man I am today without you all. I also want to thank all the athletic trainers for putting this old broken body back together.