Gambier, Ohio – The No. 13 Denison  men's lacrosse team used a steady second-half push and a defensive effort to take down Kenyon College, 14-8, in a key NCAC road matchup on Wednesday afternoon. With the win, Denison improves to 12-4 overall and 7-0 in conference play, remaining undefeated in league action. 

The Big Red turned a tightly contested first half into a solid road win by outscoring Kenyon 6-2 over the final 30 minutes, highlighted by a Jack Hines hat trick and timely goals from Michael Cassidy and Macky Peck. Hines finished with a game-high four goals on the day, including two in the third quarter that helped stretch the Big Red's lead. 

Denison trailed 3-1 early before responding with five of the next six goals to take a 6-4 lead after the opening 15 minutes. Liam Gillard, Kevin Berutich, Cassidy, and Tommy Quinson each scored during that first-quarter surge, while Jack Moellering assisted on a pair of those goals.

Khari Freeman opened the second-quarter scoring to give Denison a 7-4 lead, but Kenyon stayed close, pulling within one at 7-6. A clutch goal from Gillard off a Berutich feed in the final minute of the half sent Denison into the break up 8-6.

Defensively, Denison was locked in after halftime, allowing just one goal each in the third and fourth quarters. Goalie Andrew Albert anchored the effort with 11 total saves, including four in the final frame to preserve the win.

Despite being slightly outshot (38-37), Denison held a clear edge in shots on goal (26-19) and executed efficiently in key areas. The Big Red went 21-for-23 on clears, forced 17 turnovers, and held Kenyon to just 2-of-3 on man-up chances — with both conversions coming in the first and final quarters. Denison's man-down unit was perfect in the second and third quarters. 

Colin Donegan added a fourth-quarter goal, while Berutich recorded two assists and a goal. Cassidy and Gillard each finished with two goals, and Quinson added one on eight shots. Moellering added two assists.

Faceoffs were nearly even (Kenyon 13, Denison 12), and ground balls stayed tight (Kenyon 28, Denison 26), but the Big Red's ability to finish chances and lock down defensively in the second half made the difference.

Up Next:
No.13 Denison wraps up the regular season at home on Saturday, April 26, against Ohio Wesleyan. Opening faceoff is set for 3 p.m.