FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Through three quarters, Methodist men's lacrosse blanked visiting Oglethorpe University before eventually defeating the Stormy Petrels, 9-1, in non-conference action Monday afternoon.

The Monarchs overwhelmed Oglethorpe by taking 42 shots to the Petrels' 15. Methodist also dominated in ground ball recoveries, 41 to 19. Starting goalkeeper Clay Stevenson exited at the start of the fourth quarter with the shutout but Oglethorpe scored at the nine-minute mark in the final frame to ruin the Monarchs' overall clean sheet.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Oglethorpe, 9-1
Records: Methodist 3-3; Oglethorpe 4-4
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarchs were able to pour it in in the third quarter. There were four goals scored in less than a four-minute span to turn a 3-0 lead into a convincing 7-0 game. Matt Pemberton scored two of the four goals, Mark Chatt assisted on two scores, and Bryce Kephart scored one goal and assisted on another.
• The seventh goal at the seven-minute mark in the third period was a thing of beauty if you are a fan of ball movement. Connor Glenn streaked down the field, passed to Chatt, who passed to Kephart for what would have been a one-on-one goal. Instead, Kephart made the extra pass and assisted on the Pemberton goal.
• The defense for both teams held up in the first half as Methodist had just a 3-0 advantage entering halftime. Methodist held Oglethorpe to only three shots while the Petrels recorded 10 saves in the first half off of 22 shots faced.

STAT FACTS

• It was another relatively easy day defending the net for Stevenson and company, a big nod to the defense. The Monarchs logged four saves against 15 shots faced. The Methodist defenders blocked three shots themselves.
• Pemberton led with two goals and two assists. Glenn was the only other player with multiple goals (two).
• Kephart and Chatt had identical statlines of two assists and one goal. Jesse Leyble had a goal and an assist.
• Andrew Mayefskie's six ground balls and four caused turnovers were team-highs. Patrick Rowell was right behind him with five ground balls and four caused turnovers. Tyler Bennett also scooped up five ground balls.

UP NEXT
Road trip! The Monarchs are in Cincinnati, Ohio, to take on Mount St. Joseph University at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4 before traveling to Washington, Pa., to play Washington and Jefferson College at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5.