HARTSVILLE, S.C. -- Saint Leo men's lacrosse began the 2015 campaign with a dominating 14-9 victory over host Coker College in both teams season opener Saturday. At Byerly Field, eight different players scored goals for the Green and Gold to lead Saint Leo to its first opening win since 2012. 

Junior Dylan Yonts paced the Lions with a career-high seven points on seven goals. Saint Leo also received big days from senior Kevin Hutchinson who had three assists, and freshman Jake Gilmour who finished the game with 1 goal and two assists.

Will Cothron, the reigning D2 Statistical Face-Off Champion, won 19-25 (.760) draws, and picked up 16 ground balls. Overall, he powered Saint Leo to a 19-8 advantage at the Face-Off.

The wealth of possessions Cothron generated helped the Lions get out to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter, and a 6-3 advantage at the half.  In the first half alone, Saint Leo outshot the Cobras 22- 8.

In the third quarter, the Lions continued to pour it on. Saint Leo netted the first goal of the quarter, before going on a 5-0 run, including a man-up tally by Yonts at the 12:38 mark of the third to extend the lead to 12-4. 

The Cobras cut the deficit to three thanks to five unanswered goals at the start of the fourth quarter. Coker never got any closer, and Saint Leo regained control with four minutes left in the contest. Yonts scored back-to-back goals, both man-up scores.

Mike Martiello led Coker with three points (2 goals, 1 assist) in the contest. Shane Wilson led the Cobras with three goals.

Junior goalie Dave Moore made eight saves on 17 shots faced.

Saint Leo held a 42-29 advantage in shots and collected 29 ground balls to the Cobras 31.

The Lions return to action on Friday, Feb. 27 when it hosts 2014 NCAA runner-up LIU post on neutral ground at St. Augustine High School in the programs first Wounded Warrior game. The contest is slated for 7:00 pm.