FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  In its 2021 season opener, Methodist's men's lacrosse team pulled within one goal on a marker from Mark Chatt early in the second quarter, but an ensuing 11-0 run by visiting Berry (Ga.) College wrested away any Monarch momentum in an eventual 22-10 non-conference victory by the Vikings.

Methodist never led in the contest, but pulled even with Berry four times in the early going after surrendering go-ahead goals by Viking players.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Berry def. Methodist, 22-10
Records: Methodist 0-1; Berry 1-0
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Though the Vikings never trailed in the game, play was even between the two squads through the first quarter. Matthew Sheinfeld, twice, Jesse Leyble and Hunter Vaughan each had tying goals, with Vaughan's squaring the game at 4-4.
• Berry broke that tie with two goals within 37 seconds of each other before Chatt, off an assisting feed from Vaughan, halved the deficit.
• The 11-0 Viking run began with a pair of even-strength goals, and continued with two while on the man advantage, allowing the visitors to enter the halftime break leading 11-5.

NOTES AND NUMBERS

• Vaughan added two goals in the fourth quarter for a team-high three goals on the day.
• Also adding scores in second-half action were Carter Favreau, Matt Pemberton and Nate Moore.
• Berry won the battle at the face-off dot, taking 24 of 35 chances, and overwhelmed the Monarchs in ground ball totals, using a 57-21 edge to maintain or change possession throughout the game.
• Starting goalkeeper Cameron Brink came up with five saves while between the pipes in the first half.

NEXT UP
Methodist heads to Lynchburg, Virginia, for its next game, a Sunday, February 28 non-conference match at Randolph College.