CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University men's lacrosse team celebrated their outgoing seniors with a 17-4 victory against Virginia State University on Saturday. The Pioneers honored Zac Smargiasso, Ramsey Burnard, Eion Juhas, Khi Finch, Luke Ory and Talon Heath prior to the start of the contest. The Pioneers are now 5-6 overall and the Trojans fall to 3-9.
 
Smargiasso scored or assisted on three of Malone's four goals in the first quarter. Fellow seniors Burnard and Heath were the other scoring members. Wayne Keating caused a turnover and took the ball the other way for an assist to Heath on the final goal of the frame.
 
The Pioneers led 4-2 after 15 minutes and extended their lead to 7-3 at halftime. Ory added his name to the scoring chart with a goal just under five minutes into the period.
 
Malone would assert their dominance in the second half with a 6-0 third quarter and 4-1 fourth quarter. Dominic Robbins, Darek Smith and William Fink were new scorers in the third. The same trio would score an additional goal in the fourth quarter to widen the gap to 17-4.
 
In total, the Pioneers outshot the Trojans 56-41, but Malone's defense allowed just 18 shots on goal. Nick Sanderson (4-3) made ten saves and allowed just three goals. Trent Urquhart made four saves in seven minutes in net as well.
 
Ty McCort was 9-of-15 on face-offs and collected four ground balls. Keating and Fink had five ground balls each to lead the team. Offensively, Smargiasso and Heath tallied six points each. Smargiasso and Burnard tied for the team lead with four goals apiece.
 
Malone is on the road for the four remaining contests in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. They return to conference action against Walsh University on April 1 at 6:00 P.M.