By: Story from Barton Athletic Communications

ANDERSON, S.C. – The Barton men's lacrosse team (10-8), making its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship, fell to No. 9 Anderson (14-4) by a 24-12 score Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the 2026 national tournament at Younts Stadium and Spero Field.

The Trojans, the seventh seed in the South Region, received a combined 19 points from Cole Sparks (West Islip, N.Y.) and Radyn Badraun (Mission Viejo, Calif.) in the victory.

Badraun had 10 points – five goals and five assists – while Sparks put together a four-goal, five-assist performance in the victory.

Anderson moves on to face second-seeded and No. 5 Wingate (13-3) in the second round on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., in Wingate, N.C.

Barton junior midfielder Gabe Thompson (Endicott, N.Y.) led the visitors with four goals and junior midfielder Jimi Carter (Huntingtown, Md.) scored twice but the Bulldogs saw their six-game winning streak snapped. 

The tenth-seeded Bulldogs scored the first two goals of the match before the Trojans established control by putting together a 7-0 run and never looked back.  Anderson led by a 15-5 margin at intermission.

Anderson held a 52-45 advantage in shots taken while Adin Laughlin (Wooster, Ohio.) earned the win in goal after stopping four shots.  Barton graduate student goalkeeper Luke Woollard (Kent, ENGLAND) made six saves but suffered the loss.