MISENHEIMER, N.C.   Pfeiffer University's run in the second and third quarters lifted the host Falcons over visiting Methodist, 18-8, in USA South Athletic Conference men's lacrosse action Sunday afternoon.

Those 30 minutes were largely the difference in the game as Pfeiffer outscored Methodist, 8-2, in those two periods. Six consecutive goals flipped a 3-3 game into a 9-3 Falcons' lead midway through the third quarter.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Pfeiffer def. Methodist, 18-8
Records: Methodist 3-3 (1-1 USA South); Pfeiffer 5-1 (3-0)
Location: Lefko Field; Misenheimer, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED.

• The first quarter looked promising as both teams played to a 3-3 tie after one quarter. Hunter Vaughan countered the Falcons' first and second goals with scores of his own and Mark Chatt's goal made it a 3-3 game with 1:31 left in the first.
• The Falcons' Jared Nelson to Quin Becraft connection was electric in this game. They arguably single-handedly won the game for Pfeiffer, extending a 4-3 advantage into a commanding 10-4 edge late in the third. The two were responsible for six straight Pfeiffer goals, with Nelson assisting on four Becraft goals and Becraft returning the favor with an assist for Nelson.
• Carter Favreau scored the first goal of the fourth quarter, which cut the deficit to 10-5. However, hopes of a Methodist miracle were extinguished by five consecutive goals by Pfeiffer to extend its lead to 15-5 with eight minutes to play. Becraft had three of those five goals.
• The fourth quarter was the highest scoring output for the Monarchs, they scored fourgoals with Favreau scoring twice and Matt Pemberton and Vaughan each scoring once.

MORE NUMBERS

• Pfeiffer inundated Methodist with a 55-28 (and 31-17 in shots on goal) shot advantage, a 21-9 lead in faceoffs, and a 43-18 edge in ground balls.
• Cameron Brink finished with 13 saves.
• Vaughan had a team-high three goals goals and Favreau had two scores and an assist.
• Becraft finished with a game-high eight goals and Nelson had a game-high nine assists. 

UP NEXT

• Saturday, March 27 is the next game for Methodist and the Monarchs are home for Senior Day. Methodist hosts William Peace University in conference action at 1 p.m.
• The Falcons travel to Danville, Va. on March 27 for a league contest against Averett University.