Balanced Attack Fuels Skyhawks 19-8 Win at Warren Wilson

SWANNANOA, N.C. - The Point Skyhawks erupted for eight goals in the third quarter and closed on a 13-2 run to defeat Warren Wilson College on Wednesday afternoon. The Skyhawks turned a 5-4 deficit late in the second quarter into a dominating advantage, winning 16 faceoffs and recording 70 shots to pull away after halftime.

The decisive stretch began late in the second quarter. Trailing 5-4, Point pulled even on a goal by Rodney Oakley, then took its first lead when Shaun McLaughlin scored with 8:09 left in the period. After Warren Wilson briefly tied the game, Malyke Sillers finished the half with a late goal that sent the Skyhawks into the break up 6-5 and shifted momentum in Point's favor.

The Skyhawks seized control in the third quarter, outscoring Warren Wilson 8-3 to break the game open. McLaughlin opened the frame with a goal to make it 7-5, and after the Owls reduced their deficit to one, Jamison Cross answered to restore a two-goal cushion. McLaughlin then added another tally to spark a sustained run, with Sillers and Oakley each finding the net in the closing minutes of the quarter. Oakley's goal with 31 seconds left in the third pushed the lead to 14-8, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Oakley led the Skyhawks' attack with six goals on 15 shots, frequently finishing off extended possessions generated by Point's ground-ball work and faceoff success. Sillers added five goals and one assist, including a man-up goal early in the fourth quarter that stretched the margin to 16-8. McLaughlin provided balance as a playmaker with four goals and three assists, repeatedly factoring into the key scoring runs that turned a tight contest into a rout.

Point University controlled the stat sheet, finishing with 70 shots, 42 shots on goal and 50 ground balls while committing just 12 turnovers. The Skyhawks also converted one man-up opportunity and used their 16 faceoff wins to sustain pressure in the offensive end. That sustained possession wore down the Warren Wilson defense despite a standout performance from goalkeeper Anthony Varela, who recorded 23 saves on 42 shots on goal.

Warren Wilson started fast, building a 4-1 lead in the first quarter behind goals from Jayshawn Bruce, Marquis Prater, Ethan Damm and Jae Heath. Bruce was the primary catalyst for the Owls, finishing with four goals, three assists and 11 ground balls as he tried to keep Warren Wilson in the game. However, the Owls were limited to three goals after halftime and were shut out in the fourth quarter as Point's defense tightened and the Skyhawks' possession advantage grew.

Point closed the game with five unanswered goals in the final quarter, including two more from Oakley, additional tallies from Sillers, and a final strike from Whitman Prewitt with two seconds remaining to cap the 19-8 result. With the balanced scoring, strong faceoff play and decisive swing in the middle quarters, the Skyhawks set a clear tone for how they can control games as the season moves forward.

The Skyhawks now look ahead to their fifth consecutive road game, taking place next Saturday, February 28 against LaGrange College at 1:00pm.