DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's lacrosse began the 2021 season Saturday morning, topping Piedmont by a 12-6 margin inside Farris Stadium.
 
Will Hubbs, Chase Poplin and Mick Ginnity recorded three goals apiece, and Wills McCutcheon totaled nine saves in goal.
 
Dylan Croft shined in his collegiate debut, winning 13 of 17 faceoffs while leading Centre with seven ground balls.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hubbs scored two unassisted goals within 63 seconds to open the scoring in the first quarter.
- Centre killed two early man-up opportunities for Piedmont, the second of which ended on a McCutcheon save.
- Poplin got on the board in the second quarter off an assist from Duncan MacDonald.
- The Lions pulled within one goal, 3-2, but a late man-up score from Poplin made it 4-2 at the halftime break.
- Ginnity scored the first of his three in the third period, hitting the back of the net as the shotclock expired on an assist by Anthony DiMichele. Poplin added another man-up tally soon after to make it 6-3.
- Midway through the third, Jack Shannon took advantage of a messy transition that left the Piedmont keeper far from the cage, scoring from a long distance. DiMichele added a man-up goal soon after to make it 8-3.
- Hubbs' third goal came near the end of the third, as the sophomore found the mark while absorbing a slashing penalty.
- Piedmont made it a four-goal deficit early in the fourth quarter, but Ginnity sandwiched two goals around one from MacDonald as the Colonels shut down any comeback bid.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Hubbs totaled five points on three goals and a pair of assists to lead all players. For Ginnity, the goals were the first of his collegiate career.
- Centre out-shot Piedmont 47-37 and also finished with a 33-22 edge in ground balls. Behind Croft, Jack Shannon and Will Morrison followed with five each.
- Ian Hubbs, Graham Robbins and Brenner McCutcheon each caused three turnovers to lead Centre's defensive efforts.
- The Colonels went 3 of 5 on extra man opportunities while holding the Lions to just 1 of 6.
 
UP NEXT
Centre hosts Transylvania this upcoming Wednesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. ET.