FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist men's lacrosse team secured it's first-ever 10-win season with a 15-9 win over Huntingdon on Saturday afternoon at Monarch Stadium.
 
The Monarchs, who celebrated the program's first-ever senior class following the game, won their program-record 10th game of the season and moved their all-time record above .500 (30-29). Following the game, the Monarchs recognized the 15-member senior class that helped lay the foundation for the program.
 
Jake Smerka led the Monarchs with six points on four goals and two assists, and Chris Lombardi had three goals with a pair of assists.
 
Kendrick Ballard led the Hawks with five goals, and Jackson Schrampfer had a goal and an assist.
 
Methodist used a 4-0 run to close out the first period to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 6-3 advantage. Tyson Haith tied the score at 3-3 at the 5:32 mark and under a minute later, Andrew Ruskey gave MU the lead for good, scoring off a feed from Aaron Ward at the 4:41 mark. Smerka and Ward each added goals to close out the half.
 
The Hawks scored two of the first three goals in the second quarter to make it 7-5 with 10:52 on the clock, but three straight goals from MU, including a pair from Ruskey made it 10-5 at the break. Ruskey's last goal came as the horn sounded at the end of the quarter.
 
Huntingdon pulled within three goals (12-9) with 10:19 left in the contest, but three straight goals from the Monarchs, including two from Smerka sealed the win.
 
Jackson Bingham improved to 8-1 in the cage, making eight saves. Matt Murphy made 12 saves for the Hawks.
 
The Monarchs outshot the Hawks, 43-22, and had 29 ground balls to 21 for HC. Huntingdon also committed 16 turnovers to just nine for the Monarchs, and MU limited HC to 1 for 6 on man-up opportunities.
 
In addition to Smerka and Lombardi, Ruskey had three goals and Ward finished with a goal and two assists. Dan Richards forced two turnovers and picked up four ground balls. Trent Diaz won 8 of 15 faceoffs and secured four ground balls.
 
Sam Hitt won 13 of 26 faceoffs with eight ground balls, while Josh Clayton caused one turnover and scooped up a pair of ground balls.
 
Methodist returns to play on Wednesday at Pfeiffer beginning at 7:00 pm.