LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Andrew Ruskey's two fourth-quarter goals proved to be the difference as the Methodist men's lacrosse team defeated Randolph, 11-9, on Tuesday evening at Wildcat Stadium.
 
Ruskey's two fourth-quarter tallies proved to be the only goals scored in the fourth and broke a 9-9 tie. His go-ahead goal, and eventual game winner, was an unassisted effort with 12:29 to play. Ruskey then added an insurance goal with 2:36 to play as MU closed out the regular season with a final record 13-3.
 
Methodist outshot Randolph by a 12-3 margin in the fourth quarter, and Jackson Bingham, who improved to 11-2 in goal for MU, saved all three WildCat shots in the fourth period. For the game, Bingham made 14 saves.
 
Chris Lombardi and Jay Robinson had a hand in staking MU to an early 6-2 lead. Robinson fed Lombardi for the game's first goal, and after RC took a 2-1 lead, Robinson found Lombardi once again to knot the game at 2-2. Robinson put MU up 3-2 with an unassisted goal, then added a man-up goal off a feed from Lombardi for a 4-2 lead.
 
Lombardi assisted on an AJ Mejia goal for a 5-2 lead, then took matters into his own hands with an unassisted goal at the 8:21 mark of the second period for a four-goal lead. The WildCats answered with four straight goals to close out the period, including a tally on the half's final play for a 6-6 game at recess.
 
The Monarchs scored the first two goals of the third quarter to take an 8-6 lead with 10:46 left in the period, before the WildCats battled back to tie the game at 9-9 with 4:07 left in the third quarter.
 
For the contest, MU out shot Randolph, 46-32, won the turnover battle 22-17, and won 14 faceoffs to nine for the WildCats.
 
Lombardi added a pair of ground balls to his three goals and two assists, while Robinson caused two turnovers, picked up four ground balls to go with his four points. Daniel Richards caused six turnovers and had five ground balls, while Trent Diaz went 8 for 12 at the faceoff X.
 
Ryan Campbell (1g/2a) and Mitch MacDonald (2g/1a) each had three points for Randolph. Spencer Matthews had three caused turnovers and six ground balls.
 
Methodist will now take part in the Southeast Independent Lacrosse Championships hosted by Huntingdon. The Monarchs, who earned the tournament's top seed, will take on No. 4 seed Piedmont on Saturday at 1:00 pm (CDT).