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Methodist University Athletics

The Official Athletics Site of The Methodist University monarchs Methodist University monarchs
Jesse Leyble and Ryan Kavounis high five
24
Winner Methodist MUMLX 7-9
16
LaGrange LCM 8-9
Winner
Methodist MUMLX
7-9
24
Final
16
LaGrange LCM
8-9
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Methodist MUMLX 7 3 8 6 24
LaGrange LCM 2 6 4 4 16

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | | Matthew Shealy

Monarchs Surpass Panthers for Spot in Semifinals

LAGRANGE, Ga.  Visiting LaGrange for the second time this season, the Monarchs got revenge for their regular-season loss to the Panthers with a win on Tuesday in the first round of the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament. Though the first half was back-and-forth, fifth-seeded Methodist pulled away from fourth-seeded LaGrange to earn a 24-16 victory and a spot in the semifinals.
 
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. LaGrange, 24-16
Records: Methodist 7-9, LaGrange 8-9
Location: Callaway Stadium; LaGrange, Georgia

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • LaGrange notched the first goal a little over four minutes into the game. The ensuing faceoff was won by Methodist's Tyler Bennett, who scooped the ball up on his own and sprinted towards the goal, scoring within just eight seconds. The next goal was again for Methodist as Jesse Leyble connected with Hunter Vaughan for a score. That was followed by another scoop and score for Bennett, then a goal for RJ Breeden to put the Monarchs up 4-1. One score for the Panthers briefly interrupted Methodist's run, but two goals by Ryan Kavounis and one for Jacob Burnette capped off the first quarter, lifting the Monarchs to a 7-2 lead.
  • For the second time, LaGrange scored first to start the quarter, producing the first two goals of the period. Methodist answered with a score by Vaughan before the Panthers ripped off three in a row to cut the difference to just one goal. Kavounis found the back of the net to give the Monarchs a two-goal cushion, then LaGrange reapplied the pressure with a score with under two minutes left in the half. Less than a minute prior to the end of the period, Vaughan snagged his third score of the game and Methodist took a 10-8 lead into halftime.
  • The Panthers continued to nip at the heels of the Monarchs, scoring the first goal of the third quarter. From there, something sparked within the Methodist offense that had it clicking on all cylinders. Leyble started the scoring streak, followed by back-to-back goals by Mark Chatt. The run didn't stop there as Cy Horner found the back of the net, then another for Chatt and finally one for Breeden. LaGrange came back with two straight goals, but Methodist swiftly matched those – one for Kavounis and one for Horner. The Panthers snuck one more goal in before the end of the period, but the Monarchs still led by six entering the final quarter.
  • Methodist finally struck first to start a period as Burnette increased the margin to seven goals with the first score of the fourth quarter. The Monarchs kept the Panthers in check and recorded six fourth-quarter scores to LaGrange's four, leaving no question about who would advance to the next round of the conference tournament.
FAST FACTS
  • Tyler Bennett collected a game-high 18 ground balls and won 27 out of 44 faceoffs. He also scored twice on two shot attempts.
  • Ryan Kavounis was a major contributor for the Methodist offense, scoring five goals and recording one assist. He set career highs in goals (5) and points (6).
  • 24 goals scored is the second-most by the Monarchs this season, only shy of the 26 scored against Brevard on April 15, which set the program record for most goals scored in a game.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs will travel to Misenheimer, North Carolina to face the No. 1-seeded Pfeiffer University Falcons in the semifinal round of the USA South tournament. Opening faceoff is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m.
 
 
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