Oberlin, Ohio - The Oberlin College men's lacrosse team turned in a strong defensive effort, allowing just two second-half goals in a 16-8 win over the visiting Adrian College Bulldogs, who came into the game receiving votes in the USILA / Blatant Lacrosse Men's Coaches Division III poll.

Oberlin has held its opponents to nine goals or less in each of the first four games and today the Yeomen backline had their best performance of the season, forcing 14 of Adrian's 24 turnovers while dominating the ground ball battle, 42-24. The rookie trio of Trevor Flynn, Alexander L'Hommedieu, and Colin Taylor led the way as Flynn (12) and L'Hommedieu (6) combined for 18 ground balls, while Taylor caused five Bulldog turnovers. Joe Barocas also made eight saves in the win. 

Senior Ryan Blasberg led the way offensively with a six-point performance, scoring four goals to go along with two assists. Sophomore Jacob Starcke also found the back of the net four times and dished out a helper as well. 

After a back-and-forth first quarter it was Blasberg who gave the Yeomen a 5-4 edge at the end of 15 minutes as he sent a Christian Tacogue feed into the cage with just 15 ticks left in the frame. 

Early in the second quarter, the duo would connect again but this time in reserve as Blasberg feed Tacogue in front of the cage and the rookie from Louisville, Kentucky, went into his bag of tricks with a behind-the-back over-shoulder shot for his second score of the game to make it a 6-4 Oberlin advantage. (Watch Above)

The Bulldogs wouldn't back down, however, staying within striking distance throughout the first half. After Adrian got back within one, freshman Reese Ackerman assisted on the next two Oberlin tallies from Solomon Brennan and Blasberg, but it was Adrian who got the last goal of the second quarter to trim the Oberlin cushion down to 8-6 at the break. 

Back-to-Back goals from Starcke to open the third gave Oberlin some breathing room. In the closing seconds of the session Peyton Lee would send in his first-career goal and Starcke would find twine once more as well to make a 12-7 game heading into the fourth.

With Oberlin in firm control on both ends of the field, the outcome was never in doubt but the final frame did feature the first-career goal for Asher Friedman.

The Yeomen had a 64-24 shot advantage, which included a 37-16 margin in shots on goal. Oberlin controlled possession throughout the game with Flynn winning 20-of-27 face-offs.

Oberlin moved to 3-1 with the victory and will embark on a five-game road trip before finally returning home to host Ohio Wesleyan on March 30. Their next contest, however, is set for next Saturday, March 9, at Elmhurst University (IL). The opening face-off is set for 1 p.m.