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LATROBE, Pa. (April 30) - The Saint Vincent men's lacrosse team gained a wire-to-wire victory on Senior Day, defeating Hanover College 8-6 in Ohio River Lacrosse Conference action.

The Bearcats scored the first three goals of the contest and maintained the lead for the entire contest. Tim Oxenreiter gained the initial goal of the contest, taking a pass from defender Michael Grus and giving SVC a 1-0 lead just a little more than a minute in. Alex Mueser added an unassisted goal and Jeremy Kennedy chipped a score to make it 3-0. The visiting Panthers tallied a goal with 5:20 left in the first quarter. SVC held a 3-1 advantage after first 15 minutes. 

Hanover scored the first goal of the second quarter, bringing the deficit to just one at 3-2. Kennedy would score his 33rd goal of the year and Grus would add his first of the season, making it 5-2 with 9:31 remaining in the half. Hanover would score two of the final three goals of the opening half, including one with two seconds left, making it 6-4 SVC at half.

Oxenreiter scored his third goal of the contest, helping SVC to a 7-4 edge early in the third quarter. Hanover would score six minutes later but the game became a defensive struggle as the Bearcats took a 7-5 edge to the fourth quarter. 

Hanover would bring the deficit back within a single score with 8:37 left. However, Anthony Hogeback scored his 14th on the season, off a pass from Oxenreiter for an insurance goal with 5:46 left. That was enough as senior goalie Greg Gonzalez made a few key saves down the stretch to help SVC hold on for the win.

Oxenreiter paced the offense with four points in his final game. Grus recorded nine ground balls and six caused turnovers. Gonzalez made 13 saves for the victory in his final game as a Bearcat.

The Bearcats held a 34-31 edge in shots, including 22-19 on goal. The Bearcats forced Hanover into 35 turnovers. SVC held a 52-46 edge in ground balls. Face-offs were even at 9-9. 

The win helps SVC finish with a winning record in ORLC play at 4-3. The Bearcats closed 2016 with a 7-7 overall record. Hanover, who entered the week unbeaten in the ORLC, dropped its second straight to fall to 5-2 in league action. The Panthers finished the regular season overall at 7-8.