FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  While several Monarchs did sit out this game, Huntingdon College snuck out of Monarch Stadium with an 8-5 USA South Athletic Conference men's lacrosse win in the Methodist home finale Sunday afternoon.

The loss has no major playoff implications for the Monarchs. Methodist has already clinched their berth into the conference tournament and its path to the second seed is as simple as defeating Piedmont Saturday. Worst-case for the Monarchs is a rematch against the Hawks in the first round. Methodist was without its second, third, and fourth leading scorers as Cade Crews, Bryce Kephart, and Connor Glenn sat out in addition to a couple other players.

AJ Mejia needed three points to score his 100th point and he was determined to do so at home. Mejia finished with four points, a team-high three goals and an assist. Liam Von Hoene was superb in goal with 14 saves against just eight goals allowed.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score:     Huntingdon def. Methodist, 8-5
Records: Methodist 8-6 (3-3 USA South), Huntingdon 10-6 (6-0)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Mejia's 100th point came just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter. The goal was his second consecutive in the quarter, which cut the deficit to 8-4.
• Jackson Bingham opened the fourth quarter with a score. Despite the Monarchs owning an 11-5 shot differential in the fourth, Methodist could not close the gap any further.
• Holding a 3-1 advantage entering the second quarter, Huntingdon reeled off four straight goals to take full command of the game. Mejia's goal with 21 ticks left on the clock to cut the deficit to 7-2.
• The game started slow as eight minutes passed before a goal was scored. Austen Saucier scored the Hawks' first three goals, all coming in the first quarter.
• The second half was even slower as a defensive battle ensued. Only four goals (three Methodist; one Huntingdon) were scored in the final 30 minutes.

STAT FACTS

• Mejia five ground balls recovered was tied with Nick Lemieux for the team-high. Lemieux was eight-of-13 in faceoffs.
• Hunter Vaughan was the only other Monarch with multiple points. He had one goal and one assist.
• Mark Chatt finished with three caused turnovers and two ground balls while John Tartline had the reverse statline of three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
• Saucier led the Hawks with three goals and an assist.

UP NEXT

• Methodist visits Piedmont College Saturday at 1 p.m., in a conference battle for the No. 2 spot in the league standings.
• Huntingdon travels to play conference foe Brevard College 1 p.m. CDT.