BUENA VISTA, Va. — The Southern Virginia University men's lacrosse team defeated Catholic University in their season opener Tuesday night by the score of 17-13. 

Offensively for the Knights (1-0), Zach Danneman capped off his night tallying six goals while adding an assist for seven total points. Tennison Schmidt racked up seven points of his own in the form of two goals and five assists. Ty Veres followed with a hat trick with three goals and one assist. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Dalon Hampshire recorded 23 saves in his debut for Southern Virginia University. Nick Bair, Seth Millington, and Blake Jackson led all defenders with two caused turnovers apiece. 

The Knights began the game with an early 4-0 lead initiated off a Danneman goal in the first 45 seconds of the game. Two consecutive goals brought the Cardinals (0-1) within two 4-2 with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter of play. Both teams exchanged points the remainder of the first with Southern Virginia University holding onto the lead 7-5 heading into the second quarter. Danneman led all players with the first quarter hat-trick. 

Eric Norr kickstarted the scoring for the Knights in the second quarter off a feed from Schmidt to put Southern Virginia University up by three 8-5 with 10:38 remaining in the half. Catholic University responded with two goals of their own to come within one point 8-7 with 8:51 left. Danneman added his fourth of the game just 30 seconds later before the Cardinals responded with two more goals again to tie the game for the first time 9-9 with 6:12 on the clock. After another Danneman goal, Catholic University managed to score one more goal in the second quarter to tie the game 10-10 before heading into halftime. 

At the break, Danneman led all players with five goals while Hampshire added 11 first-half saves. The Cardinals held the ground ball advantage 32-11 along with 17-for-21 in the face-off battle. 

Southern Virginia University's defense showed its dominance in the third quarter holding Catholic University scoreless. After Schmidt scored his second of the game off a Kenan Arne assist, the Knights used three penalties by the Cardinals to score three man-up goals to extend their lead 14-10 at the end of the third. 

With 14:30 remaining in the game, Arne scored the first goal of his career to bring Southern Virginia University's lead up to five 15-10. After turning the ball over on an extra-man opportunity, the Knights got the ball right back off a Jackson forced turnover. Isaac DeGarlais used the earned possession by Jackson to sneak a shot past the Cardinals' goalkeeper, bringing the lead to six goals 16-10 with 12:01 left in the game. 

Following a two-goal swing by Catholic University and bringing the score to 16-12 with 10:39 remaining, Danneman scored his sixth of the game to bring the lead back up to five 17-12 with 5:24 on the clock. The Cardinals managed to squeeze one last goal past Hampshire, but time was not on their side. The Knights gained possession after the goal and ran out the clock, giving them the season-opening victory. 

Southern Virginia University continues its season on Friday, Feb. 14, traveling to Ohio Northern. The opening face-off is set for 4 p.m.