COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University men's lacrosse team took the field of Bernlohr Stadium on Wednesday night for a midweek OAC matchup against the Fighting Muskies of Muskingum University. Capital used a strong second quarter to power ahead and never look back, winning 11-6. 

Capital claims their seventh straight win and moves to 7-2 on the season and 2-0 in the OAC.

Muskingum drops to 4-5 overall and 0-2 in conference play. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Things got off to a slow start for the Comets – despite drawing first blood with a goal from Nathan Montgomery just one minute in – as they quickly found themselves facing a 3-1 deficit, showing that lone strike on the scoreboard at the end of the first quarter. 

However, things picked up in the second quarter when a goal from Mason Spaulding coupled with another score by Montgomery tied the game at 3-3. Muskingum retook the lead at 4-3 but that was short-lived as Charlie Howenstine scored via an assist by Spaulding, then returned the favor on the next goal to give Cap a 5-4 advantage. Muskingum would tie it up again, but another two strikes from Spaulding and Howenstine put Capital back in the driver's seat going into the half, 5-7.

From then on it was up to the Comets to close the game, which they did by scoring two in the third (Jake Belt, Drew Bolen), and two more in the fourth (Spaulding 2x), only giving up one on the other end. Thus the game ended with an 11-6 scoreline and the Comets claimed their seventh straight victory. 

THE NUMBERS
Charlie Howenstine excelled in his role as the set-up man, setting a new single-game record in assists with six. He also went 2-for-2 on shots on goal, scoring twice for a total of eight points. Howenstine also picked up three ground balls. 

Mason Spaulding was Capitals leading scorer once again with five goals off of 9-of-10 shots on goal, dishing out an additional two assists for a total of seven points. He also picked up three ground balls and caused one turnover.

Nathan Montgomery picked up two goals on 5-of-6 shots on target, with three ground balls and one caused turnover. 

Jake Belt and Drew Bolen were the last two goal-scorers for the Comets. Belt also had an assist and a ground ball. Bolen went 1-for-1 on shots on goal and grabbed one ground ball. 

Freddy Noday was the main face-off man, winning 11-of-15 and grabbing eight ground balls.

IN THE CAGE
Sam McInturf spent the full 60 minutes in the cage for the Comets, making 12 saves and picking up a career-high eight seven ground balls. He notches his seventh winning decision, now 7-2 on the season. 

THE OPPONENT
Goals - Spencer Zecchini (3)
Assists - Spencer Zecchini (2)
Points - Spencer Zecchini (5)
Face-Offs Won - Drew Schneider (9)
Ground Balls - Trevor Connolly (8)
Caused Turnovers - Blake Turano/Anthony Mazzagatti (2)
Saves - Trevor Connolly (14)

UP NEXT
The Comets will be on the road for the next two games, starting with an away game at Mount Union on Saturday, April 1. The first face-off is set for 1:00 p.m.