BREVARD, N.C. - A highly-entertaining matchup between the Brevard College men's lacrosse team (0-17) and Warren Wilson went the Owls' way late as the two sides closed out 2026 on Tuesday night in the fifth edition of the Battle of the Blue Ridge rivalry game at Ives-Lemel Family Field.
Trailing since the 1:07 mark in the first quarter, the Tornados stormed back in the fourth period, scoring five consecutive goals to tie the contest, 12-12, with 11:42 left to play.
Warren Wilson found an answer at the 9:39 mark, retaking the lead, but Joseph Piazza would not be denied as BC tied the matchup back up at 13 goals apiece. With 1:51 left to go, Marquis Prater put in his fourth goal of the game off a Jayshawn Bruce assist as the Owls grabbed the lead back, 14-13. A wild final minute ensued, with the Owls holding off a late Tornado rally to seal their first Battle of the Blue Ridge triumph.
Senior Gage Khayat surpassed 100 points in his collegiate career in his final game, scoring a game-high and career-high seven goals while adding five ground balls for the Tornados. Logan Southern brought his career faceoff wins to a program-record 405, and his 2026 faceoff total to a program-record 178 with 12 victories in his final collegiate contest. Joseph Piazza tallied two goals and two assists, while Cameron Kurzon scored twice in his collegiate debut. Roderick Frazier Jr. led all Tornados with seven ground balls, and matched senior defense Braedyn Perez with two caused turnovers.
Prior to the start of the Battle of the Blue Ridge, BC's four seniors - Max Dorman, Khayat, Perez, and Southern - were all honored in a special pregame ceremony.
Warren Wilson's effort was led by Jae Heath, who scored four times with four assists while also setting the tone with 16 faceoff wins and 10 ground balls. Prater found the back of the net four times, with Ethan Damm and Jayshawn Bruce logging hat tricks.
BC narrowly outshot WWC, 48-44, but the Owls held a 30-27 edge in shots-on-goal. Jameson Murray finished off an impressive 2026 campaign with 16 saves to extend his program-record single-season total to 296.
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