SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – It didn't come as easy as they would've liked, but the Capital University men's lacrosse team found a way to win their fifth straight game with a 12-9 result on the road at Wittenberg University this afternoon. 

The Comets are now 5-2 on the year and Witt drops to 3-4. Both teams will begin their conference play this coming weekend. Capital will host crosstown rivals Otterbein University on March 25th at 1 p.m. for the annual Battle for the Oar presented by Byers Airport Subaru. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets started off with the game's opening goal coming from Jake Belt on an assist from Charlie Howenstine. However, the lead lasted for just 37 seconds as Witt evened the score at 1-1 off a goal from Nicholas Langenderfe. 

After the tying goal, the Tigers finished the first quarter with two more goals to carry a 3-1 lead into the second stanza. 

The quarter break proved to be a vital intervention for the Comets, because they came out and scored five second quarter goals to take the lead back. Right away, Jacob Poole, Nathan Montgomery and Belt scored within five minutes of the quarter starting to put Cap ahead 4-3. 

Again, though the lead was short lived as the hosts responded with a couple quick fire goals to go back ahead 5-4. 

Despite this, Cap regrouped and finished the second period with goals from Kyle Wallace and Aiden Manning to go into halftime ahead 6-5. 

Wittenberg then scored the first two goals of the third quarter to go ahead 7-6, but four straight goals by the Comets proved to be enough to secure the result. Jake Belt scored twice and was accompanied by Brenden Pelton and Drew Bolen in the momentum swing. 

In the fourth quarter, Mason Spaulding got his name on the scoreboard with a pair of goals, surrounding two from Wittenberg to seal the deal at 12-9 at the final horn. 

THE NUMBERS
Jake Belt carried the offensive work today, scoring four goals while handing out one assist. His goal output matched his career-high which was set earlier this season against Adrian. 

Brenden Pelton, Mason Spaulding (2), Nathan Montgomery, Jacob Poole, Aiden Manning, Kyle Wallace, and Drew Bolen accounted for the other goals. 

Assists were handed out by Charlie Howenstine, Pelton (2), Spaulding, and Belt. 

Leading the defensive efforts were Belt, Manning, Jackson Hart, Wallace and Bolen who each caused one turnover a piece. In ground ball pick ups, Poole and Montgomery led the way with five each. 

In the cage, Sam McInturf made a season-high 15 saves to keep the Comets in it. Tonight's game was the first game all season in which McInturf and the Comet defense limited their opponent to single-digit goals. 

Max Schillig and Kyle Wallace both put together solid games, playing at the home of their previous school. Schillig finished with four ground balls, while Wallace ended with a goal, three ground balls and a caused turnover. 

One area of team significance was the Comets did not commit a penalty in the game, keeping all 10 men on the field throughout the entire 60 minutes of action. 

THE OPPONENT
Goals - Kyle Gould (5)
Assists - Nathan Brown (2)
Ground Balls - Colten Simkins (6)
Caused Turnovers - Henry Coyle/Max Benincasa (2)
Faceoff Wins - Simkins (16)
Saves - Will Westermeyer (10)

UP NEXT
Capital will host crosstown rivals Otterbein University on Saturday, March 25th at 1 p.m. for the annual Battle for the Oar presented by Byers Airport Subaru.