FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Monarchs handily defeated visiting Saint Vincent College, 12-7, in non-conference men's lacrosse action Tuesday afternoon, evening up their record with the mid-week victory.
Methodist scored the opening goal and never trailed in a game it built a seven-goal cushion before settling for the five-goal final margin.
Bryce Kephart (three goals and an assist) and
Cade Crews (two goals and an assist) led a Monarch offense that tied its early season-high with 12 goals.
Liam Von Hoene, the reigning USA South Defensive Player of the Week, continued his fantastic senior season with 14 saves.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Saint Vincent, 12-7
Records: Methodist 3-3, Saint Vincent 0-4
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Monarchs scored five unanswered goals between the second and third quarters to turn a 5-3 lead into a commanding 10-3 advantage.
- Three consecutive goals in the last five minutes of the third quarter by the Bearcats' John Succop cut the deficit to 10-6.
- Methodist stymied any Saint Vincent momentum by outscoring the Bearcats, 2-1 in the final frame.
- The Monarchs scored the first goal in each quarter, setting the tone for the win. Crews' goal to start the second quarter gave Methodist an early 4-1 advantage over Saint Vincent.
STAT FACTS
- Mark Chatt and Hunter Vaughan each had a goal and an assist for two points and Mark Chatt and Jack Bryan each scored twice for their two points.
- A.J. Mejia recovered a team-high seven ground balls to go with one goal scored, helping the Methodist offense to move like a well-oiled machine.
- John Tartline (six ground balls) and Andrew Mayefskie (five ground balls and a team-leading) four caused turnovers) anchored a stout Monarch defense.
- It was a chippy game that featured 18 penalties. Those penalties gifted the Monarchs with eight extra-man opportunities compared to five for the Bearcats. Each team converted twice in the situation.
- Methodist had a 41-32 shot advantage. That difference really came into play in the second quarter where the Monarchs outshot their opponent 16-5, resulting in a 5-2 score advantage for Methodist. The Monarchs also held the advantage in ground balls scooped up, 48-38.
- Nick Lemieux won ten of his 21 face-off battles. He also picked up five ground balls.
UP NEXT
- The Monarchs travel to Atlanta, Georgia, with a Thursday date against Oglethorpe University at 4 p.m.
- Saint Vincent will seek its first win of the season with a Saturday game against Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, at 12 p.m.