MARIETTA, Ohio -- The Washington & Jefferson men's lacrosse team scored four consecutive second half goals in a 9-6 non-conference victory over Marietta College on Sunday afternoon. 

The Presidents, who scored six of the final eight goals in the match, improve to 1-3 overall. The loss drops the Pioneers to 2-2 overall. 

W&J was able to overcome a slow start that saw the visitors behind 2-0 on the scoreboard after the first quarter. Pat Brunner (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) registered a pair of man-up goals in the second to even the score (2-2) at halftime. 

Mark Mandak (Enola, Pa./Trinity) and Alex Strain (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper Saint Clair) put the Presidents in front with two third quarter goals. However, the Pioneers countered with back-to-back strikes to tie the score at 4-4. 

An unassisted goal by Pat Moeller (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) with 1:02 left in the third quarter helped the Presidents take the lead for good. The Presidents recorded the first three scores of the fourth quarter to strengthen their lead. Benjamin Ward (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) scored an unassisted goal before adding another off a pass from Strain. 

Strain then took a pass from Brunner before burying it into the back of the net to make the score 8-4 with 5:23 to play. Strain added an unassisted tally with 2:21 to play to help the Presidents finish off the 9-6 victory. 

Strain led the way offensively with four points while Ward and Brunner tallied three points each. Jake Duda (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) was a force on the defensive end, as the junior picked up six ground balls and caused four turnovers. 

A big reason why W&J was unable to overcome its slow offensive start was senior goalkeeper Noah Cohen (Hewlett, N.Y./George W. Hewlett). The veteran registered 20 saves and picked up a team-best eight ground balls. 

W&J picked up the victory despite winning just 3-of-18 face-offs in the contest. Another key was the Presidents ability to convert on man-up opportunities. W&J scored on 3-of-8 extra man chances while Marietta as held without a man-up score (0-for-6). 

Non-conference play continues for the Presidents when they host Methodist University on Thursday, March 5. Start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.