Gauntner posts first-half shutout; Men’s Lacrosse rolls in 13-2 win against Barton

SALISBURY, N.C. – The Catawba College men's lacrosse team dashed past Barton, 13-2, on Saturday at Shuford Stadium, utilizing a defensive masterclass to collect its fourth straight win to open the 2025 season.

TEAM STATS

- Catawba (4-0) fired a season-high 48 shots – scoring on half of its shots on goal – while limiting Barton (1-3) to 29 attempts, possessing a 29-13 advantage at halftime

- The blue and white collected 26 ground balls compared to the Bulldogs' 21 pickups

- The turnover battle favored Catawba by a 19-15 margin, though Barton was more efficient on clear attempts with a 14-for-17 (.824) performance versus the 17-for-22 (.773) day for the hosts

- Cael Petroff dominated the faceoff spot with 11 wins in 17 tries as Catawba posted a .579 clip at midfield

- Going the distance in net, Brady Gauntner made a career-high 12 saves with just two goals allowed for an .857 save percentage, logging the program's best mark since Apr. 14, 2017 against Shorter (.917); Nate Lehr totaled 13 saves in 54:30 for the Bulldogs

INDIVIDUAL STATS

- Frank Cetrone bagged three goals and two assists for the second time this season, putting all six of his shots on frame

- Tanner Stout achieved his first career hat trick in a four-point outing featuring the Catawba Indians' first man-down goal of the year

- Jack Mercer and Peyton Turner tallied one goal and one assist apiece

- On defense, Steven Hernandez and Kier McKnight each recorded two caused turnovers

- Petroff led the squad with five ground balls while Jack Butler recovered four, the most among field players

GAME NOTES

- Two goals is the fewest allowed by Catawba since 2017 (18-1 vs. Shorter) and marks the 10th time holding an opponent to 0-2 scores – it is the first occurrence with Mike Murphy at the helm

- Catawba recorded its first-ever win over Barton after coming into the contest at 0-2 all-time, dropping both meetings by one-goal margins (12-11 in 2022, 11-10 in overtime in 2024)

- Both programs were unranked but receiving votes in the latest USILA Coaches' Poll, giving Catawba its third consecutive triumph over a nationally-recognized team after previously topping Belmont Abbey and Mount Olive

UP NEXT

The Catawba Indians head to Tusculum on Saturday, Mar. 1 for their South Atlantic Conference opener. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Pioneer Field.