NEW CONCORD, Ohio – A seven-goal outburst in the fourth quarter vaulted the Capital University men's lacrosse team to a dominant 15-5 win at Muskingum University on Wednesday night. 

Capital (4-5 overall, 1-1 OAC) did what they've been known to do this year and that's spread the wealth. Through the 15 goals, nine different players found the back of the net, with six different players registering assists. 

Leading the lines offensively were Jacob Poole and Brenden Pelton who each finished with a hat-trick. The three goal night for Poole was his first career multi-goal game and first collegiate hat-trick. Also benefiting with a multi-goal night was Johnathan Kilgallon and Evan Frund who bagged two goals and also dished out an assist each. 

On the defensive side of the game, Capital gobbled up 52 ground balls, led by Lake Harris' six. Dom Rocco, Nathan Montgomery, and Cody Colon all recorded four pick-ups each. Capital also forced 10 turnovers, with Rocco being the only player to cause more than one as he first with two. 

In the cage, Sam McInturf made six saves in 55 minutes of action. Ryan Pierce came in for his season debut during the final five minutes and stood tall, making things difficult for the Muskies, while stopping two shots. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital jumped out to a three-goal lead during the first quarter as Jack Scharner, Johnathan Kilgallon and Brenden Pelton beat Trevor Connolly in the Muskie net. Evan Frund and Nathan Mork picked up helpers in the opening quarter. 

Muskingum started the second frame with a flourish as Alec Terbovich netted twice within the opening 2:09 of the period. The Comets didn't let the brief offensive spell for the hosts rattle them as they finished the first half with two more goals, carrying a 5-2 advantage at the intermission. Aiden Manning and Nathan Mork each tallied unassisted goals in the quarter for Cap. 

The third quarter also went in favor of the visiting Comets as Cap outscored Muskingum 3-1 in the period to hold an 8-3 edge after three quarters. Jacob Poole would score twice and Brenden Pelton would get his second of the game in the period. Jake Belt picked up an assist on the Pelton tally. 

The fourth quarter fell off the tracks for the hosts as Capital punctuated the game with seven goals in the final 15 minutes of play. Kilgallon, Frund (x2), Poole, Pelton, Ian Michaud, and Mason Spaulding all scored in the quarter leading to the exclamation point victory. Cap did concede twice in the stanza, but the pair of goals would prove to be merely consolation. Kilgallon, Pelton, and Jack Scharner all registered fourth quarter assists. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Lake Harris was dominant in the faceoff circle, losing just two of his 19 battles tonight, for a 90% success rate. His six ground balls after faceoffs marked the third time this season that he scooped up six or more gbs in a single game. Despite a 14-for-14 mark set against Wilmington his freshman year, Harris' 17-for-19 effort this evening marked one of his best in the faceoff circle during his collegiate tenure. 

Mason Spaulding's late fourth quarter goal kept his streak alive of scoring at least once in each game this season. He continues to lead the team in scoring with 23 goals and 28 points. 

Despite some sharp defensive work this season, tonight set new season-highs for ground balls in a game with 52 – seven more than the previous high of 45 – and successful clears with 24. Tonight's 10 caused turnovers was also the fourth time this season that Capital directly forced double-digit opponent turnovers. Chase Snyder (11 ct, 37 gb), Doc Crimmel (14 ct, 34 gb), and Jaden Kaznowski (11 ct, 18 gb) lead the way in both categories. 

UP NEXT
Capital will remain on the road for the next contest and will face a stiff challenge as they visit John Carroll University on Saturday, April 2nd at 1 p.m. The Blue Streaks have spent time all season sniffing around the national rankings, even cracking a couple of polls' top-25.