LYNCHBURG, Va. – A fast start carried #17 Lynchburg past the Bridgewater College men's lacrosse team in the Eagles' ODAC opener.

Bridgewater outscored their nationally-ranked opponents 8-7 over the final 36 minutes of play, but the damage was down after the Hornets jumped out to a 9-0 lead in an eventual 16-8 final.

Mason Gauntt dominated the faceoff, winning 23-of-26 and picking up 17 ground balls. Both his faceoff wins and ground ball totals set school records for the second time in three games.

Gauntt won 5-of-6 faceoffs in the first quarter, but Lynchburg jumped out to a 5-0 lead along with having two other goals waved off for a crease violation.

Trailing 9-0, Bridgewater scored the final two goals of the first half through Justin Calabrese (man-up) and Chris Martel.

Martel scored twice more in the third quarter, including a man-up tally off a feed from Jake Pangle.

Eric Husselbaugh struck twice in the fourth, with Bridgewater also getting goals from Trent Cheyney and Martel.

Martel totaled four goals and an assist for the Eagles, while Robbie Noyes made 19 saves in the cage.

Lynchburg's Patrick Moore (12 saves) stopped eight shots over the second and third quarters to prevent Bridgewater from getting closer.

The Eagles are 2-2, 0-1 ODAC and face another tough opponent on home on Wednesday in Swarthmore.