LEXINGTON, Va. – Top-seeded Washington and Lee used a five-goal second quarter and stifling defense in the second half to defeat fifth-seeded Bridgewater by a score of 11-3 in the semifinals of the ODAC Men's Lacrosse Tournament on Thursday evening at Wilson Field.
 
Bridgewater (6-5) held a 2-1 lead early in the second quarter after posting a pair of goals coming from junior attackman Chris Martel.  However, the Generals (11-4) wrestled the lead away with a four-goal run to assume a 5-2 lead with 3:25 left in the second quarter.  Senior attackman Austin Hudson (Baltimore, Md. / Gilman) got things started with an unassisted goal at the 12:52 mark and sophomore midfielder George Brinn (Cleveland, Ohio / University School) followed with an unassisted goal of his own just 34 seconds later.  Senior attackman Stuart Greenspon (Aldie, Va. / Episcopal) added back-to-back unassisted tallies at 9:04 and 3:25 to cap the run.
 
The Eagles sliced it to a 5-3 game when junior defenseman Grayson Rech scored in an unsettled transition situation with 1:35 left in the half, but senior attackman Taylor Witherell (Wilmington, Del. / Salesianum) had the answer just 50 seconds later to give W&L a 6-3 lead at the break.
 
The second half was all about the Generals' defensive effort, holding the Eagles to just eight shots while forcing 11 turnovers.  Witherell, Hudson and senior midfielder Ben Mulholland (Sewickley, Pa. / Sewickley Academy) all scored their second goals of the game in the second half as W&L continued to pull away for the eight-goal final margin.

Washington and Lee held a 60-23 advantage in shots and claimed a 36-23 edge in ground balls.  The Generals also won the battle at the faceoff X, winning 11-of-18 draws.
 
Junior defenseman Michael Horgan (Charlotte, N.C. / Charlotte Catholic) totaled three caused turnovers and three ground balls on the defensive end, while classmate Finn Thorne (Lutherville, Md. / McDonogh) tallied two caused turnovers and two ground balls.  Senior Jack Taylor (Baltimore, Md. / Saint Paul's) played all 60 minutes in goal, recording seven saves.
 
On the offensive end, Witherell and Hudson led the way with two goals and one assist each.  Greenspon and Mulholland added two goals apiece.
 
Martel paced the BC offense with two goals.  Junior Robbie Noyes made 15 saves in goal for the Eagles.
 
Washington and Lee will now host the ODAC Championship game on Saturday.  The Generals will play either second-seeded Lynchburg or third-seeded Hampden-Sydney.  The time is still to be determined.