FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Visiting Brevard College outscored the Monarchs 11-1 in the first and third quarters to upset Methodist, 17-7, in USA South Athletic Conference men's lacrosse action Saturday afternoon.

The Tornados raced out to a 6-1 lead to the start the game and opened the third quarter with five consecutive goals to earn the decisive victory.

Nick Lemieux helped Methodist reign supreme in at least one area -- faceoffs. Lemieux won 16 of 26 faceoffs and his 10 ground balls recovered is the most by a Monarch since February 2017.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Brevard def. Methodist, 17-7
Records: Methodist 5-4 (1-1 USA South), Brevard 3-4 (1-1)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• AJ Mejia put the Monarchs on the board first with a goal in the opening minute but Brevard scored the next six goals in the quarter.
• The Tornados took a 10-4 lead into halftime after outscoring Methodist 4-3 in the second period.
• It was all Brevard in the third quarter as they opened with five unanswered goals before AJ Mejia halted the run with a goal of his own.
• The Mejia goals, and scores from Cade Crews and Kephart to open the fourth cut the deficit to 15-7 but the Tornados scored the last two goals to extend the game to its final 10-goal margin.

STAT FACTS

• Another defensive season-high was set by John Tartline with five caused turnovers. He also recovered four ground balls.
• Parke Kissner (three ground balls and three caused turnovers) and Andrew Mayefskie (three ground balls and two caused turnovers) also made their presence known on the defensive end.
• Bryce Kephart and AJ Mejia led the Monarchs with two goals apiece.
• In addition to his two goals, Mejia was second on the team with six ground balls scooped up.
• Hunter Vaughan had a goal and an assist, Billy DeLarm scored one goal, and Mark Chatt earned an assist.
• Brevard outshot Methodist, 44-35 but the shot totals were actually even over the final three quarters.
• It was not the best day for the Monarchs' offense as they committed 33 turnovers and was only able to clear 19 of its 27 attempts, a rate of 70 percent.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs will regroup will a non-conference matchup at home Thursday against Hendrix College at 4 p.m.
• Brevard visits William Peace next Saturday at 1 p.m. in a conference matchup.