CINCINNATI  Behind a dominant first half that saw Methodist men's lacrosse take a 16-2 lead into intermission, the Monarchs defeated host Mount St. Joseph University, 21-9, in non-conference action Wednesday evening.

Methodist scored 10 goals in the first period and scored the first 13 goals of the game before Mt. St. Joseph was finally able to put a score of its own up on the board. In an impressive first-half performance, the Monarchs out shot the Lions, 28-4. Methodist put 24 of those 28 shots on target, and converted 24 of those shots into 16 goals. Methodist also boasted a 14-6 first half faceoff advantage and a 23-6 edge in ground balls.

Matt Pemberton and Connor Glenn led with identical statlines of four goals and two assists. For the game, the Monarchs outshot Mt. St. Joseph, 52-21, and built a 45-19 advantage in ground balls.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Mount St. Joseph,
Records: Methodist 4-3; Mount St. Joseph 0-2
Location: Schueler Field; Cincinnati, Ohio

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first two goals -- one each from Matthew Sheinfeld and Mark Chatt -- came 17 seconds apart as Nick Lemieux's faceoff wins led directly to both goals.
• Three goals came within 1:03 as Sheinfeld, Bryce Kephart, and Pemberton all scored to extend the Methodist lead to 6-0. Faceoff wins led to the latter two scores.
• By halftime, Pemberton had four goals plus an assist.
• The Lions clawed into the deficit late by outscoring the Monarchs, 4-1, in the third quarter and adding three goals in the fourth.

STAT FACTS

• Chatt, Kephart, Sheinfeld, Jesse Leyble, and Carter Favreau each netted two scores. Favreau had two assists also.
• Lemieux won 15 of 25 faceoffs and recovered a team-high 13 ground balls.
• Patrick Rowell's four caused turnovers led the team his five ground balls were second.
• Favreau had a balanced statline with two goals, two assists, four ground balls and three caused turnovers.
• Tyler Bennett recovered four ground balls and caused two turnovers.
• Bennett and Kit Allman scored their first collegiate goals in this game.

UP NEXT
It is a quick turnaround as the road trip continues with a visit to Washington, Pennsylvania, to take on the Presidents of Washington and Jefferson College, Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m.