CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Tyson Haith fed Jake Smerka for the game-winning goal as the Methodist men's lacrosse team held off Misericordia, 13-12, in overtime at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Florida on Friday night.
 
Smerka's game-winning goal, his fifth of the night, came after Jordan DeSalvo had won the opening faceoff of the extra period and MU (7-1) worked the ball around a few times. With just over a minute gone in the extra period, Haith took possession of the ball behind the cage and shook his defender, finding Smerka on the crease, who then beat Misericordia's Antonia Whyte for the game-winner.
 
The Cougars (3-1) had possession for the last minute in regulation, but despite calling a pair of timeouts, were unable to get a clean look at the cage.
 
The Cougars raced out to a 3-0 lead less than three minutes into the game, and led 5-2 with 4:31 left in the first quarter following a Pat Kellish goal.
 
The Monarchs answered with seven straight goals, including three from Smerka and two from Andrew Ruskey, to assume a 9-5 lead heading to halftime. Misericordia notched three of the four goals scored in the third quarter to pull within 10-8 entering the final period.
 
With 9:31 to play, the Monarchs still led by two (12-10), but Chris Fleming and Kyle Reese notched markers to make it 12-12 with 4:53 left in regulation. The Monarchs managed to kill off a penalty in the last 3:27 and after getting the ball back with 2:59 to play, missed several chances for a potential game-winning goal.
 
The Cougars got the ball back following a save by Whtye with 1:07 to play, but managed just one shot before a late turnover sent the game to OT.
 
Misericordia out shot MU 49-37 and had 42 ground balls to 31 for the Monarchs. Methodist's defense was up to the task however, limiting the Cougars to just 1 for 8 with a man advantage, and Jackson Bingham set a new school record with 18 saves in goal.
 
In all, Smerka finished with five goals and one assist, and Kyle Clarkson had four assists. Matt Layden added two goals with an assist, two caused turnover and two ground balls. Andrew Mayefskie had four ground balls.
 
Jake Kocovsky was 13 for 23 at the faceoff X for the Cougars, and added three goals. Brandon Winslow added a pair of goals and two assists, and Fleming scored four times with five ground balls.
 
The Monarchs will look to win their eighth straight on Wednesday at Guilford beginning at 7:00 pm.