FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist men's lacrosse team posted the first shutout in program history in a 21-0 win over Averett on Saturday afternoon at Monarch Stadium.
 
The Monarchs (4-5, 2-1 USA South) outshot Averett (0-7, 0-4) by a 64-9 margin and Clay Stevenson and Jackson Bingham combined to make six saves in the cage for the Monarchs, who have now won four of their last five contests.
 
Saturday also represented Senior Day as the Monarchs payed tribute to its five seniors after the contest.
 
The scoring came early and often for the Green & Gold as MU tallied nine goals on 16 shots in the first quarter. Matt Layden and Cade Crews each scored a pair of goals and added an assist in the first quarter as the Monarchs set the tone early.
 
Connor Glenn scored twice in a six-goal second quarter for MU as the home team held a 15-0 edge at halftime. Averett was held to just four total shots in the first half and committed 16 turnovers while completing just 1 of 8 clears.
 
Methodist slowed its offense down in the second half, taking fewer shots in the third and fourth quarters combined (21) than it did in the first quarter alone (27). AJ Mejia posted four points in the second half, while Crews added three.
 
Crews led MU with eight points on four goals and four assists. Layden finished with three goals and two assists and Mejia (3g/2a), Glenn (4g/1a), Austin Stewat (1g/3a) and Michael Bradley (2g/2a), Bryce Kephart (2g) and Jack Bryan (1g/1a) also had multi-point performances.
 
Josh Brown led the Monarchs with three caused turnovers and added a pair of ground balls. Mejia caused two turnovers with six ground balls, and Parke Kissner also had two caused turnovers. Brendan Siemen had a team-best seven ground balls, and Luke Van Der Muelen picked up five ground balls while winning 7 of 8 faceoffs. Nick Lemieux was 12 for 15 at the faceoff X.
 
The Monarchs are back at it on Wednesday at William Peace beginning at 7 pm.