HAMPTON, Va. – Visiting Roberts Wesleyan College scored the first eight goals of the second half to pull away from Hampton University in a 20-8 season opening lacrosse match at Armstrong Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The Pirates opened the scoring with a flurry as freshman Kier Johnson gave Hampton its first lead 43 seconds into the contest with a quick strike from the left wing. 

After the Redhawks tied it on a Zac Sapor goal at the 13:01 mark, Hampton put a pair of goals on the board in a 12 second span to lead 3-1.  Kendall Sapp took a feed from Lemuel Randolph for a tally at 4:01 and Andrew Gray put the hosts up two goals with a wrister 12 seconds later.

Roberts Wesleyan scored six straight goals, five of those with a man advantage, to lead 7-3 early in the second period after a goal from AJ Hemms.  Hampton cut the deficit in half on a pair of John Tarver goals in a 1:45 span.  His first one was off a pass from Johnathan Napier and then he scored an unassisted goal with 10:06 left in the half to trail 7-5.

The Redhawks scored three of the next four goals to lead 10-6 in the final minute of the first half, but Randolph took a feed from Darrel Kidd and blasted a goal with 35 seconds left to bring Hampton to 10-7 at halftime.

In the second half, the Redhawks defense stiffened and held Hampton scoreless in the third quarter.  Hampton kept hanging around with defensive stands of their own holding the visitors to four goals and trailing 14-7 after three.

The Pirates stopped the scoring binge of Roberts Wesleyan with a goal by Lamont Lewis with 3:11 left to trail 18-8.

Alex Bianchi, Jordan Crusha and Hemms scored three goals each for Roberts Wesleyan who outshot Hampton 36-26.  Bianchi added two assists, while Cody Menzies and Collin Waden had three assists  each.

Hampton was paced by Sapp and Tarver with a pair of goals each.  Randolph added a goal and two assists to lead in that category for the Pirates.

The Pirates will now return to Armstrong Stadium on February 25 when they face the University of the District of Columbia in a 2pm match.

For more information on Hampton University men's lacrosse, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5906 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.