CARY, N.C. Fending off a competitive William Peace University team on Wednesday evening, the Methodist men's lacrosse team escaped WakeMed Soccer Park with a two-goal victory, topping the Pacers 12–10. The Monarchs used a five-goal run in the final quarter to come out on top.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. William Peace, 12–10
Records: Methodist 5–5 (2–1 USA South), William Peace 7–3 (0–2 USA South)
Location: WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After an early goal by Nick Spinola, the Pacers answered to tie the score 1–1. Logan Garrett quickly put the Monarchs back in front with more than nine minutes left in the first quarter, but a goal for William Peace with just over a minute to go brought the period to an end in a 2–2 stalemate.
- Methodist was first to score in the second quarter, as Sam Newton found the back of the net less than four minutes in. After the Pacers knotted it up at 3–3, the Monarchs produced back-to-back scores — one by Jay Legg and another by LJ Oby, who won the faceoff before cradling the ball all the way to the house. With under seven minutes left in the quarter, William Peace pulled back within one, scoring the final goal of the half to make the halftime score 5–4 in favor of Methodist.
- The Monarchs accrued eight penalties in the first half, totaling seven minutes worth of penalty time.
- Over nine scoreless minutes elapsed in the third quarter before the Pacers evened up the score. The teams remained tied 5–5 until the waning seconds of the quarter, when a Pacers turnover caused by Spinola led to a Legg goal to end the period.
- After tying the score at 6–6 and 7–7, William Peace took the lead with 11:42 to play, then went ahead by two with 9:20 remaining.
- The next faceoff was won by Oby, and the Monarchs quickly took back the momentum, scoring five straight goals to go up 12–9 with 3:19 left in the half. Cole Rigsbee came up with three saves during the five-minute span that saw the Monarchs retake the lead. Rigsbee produced two more saves while giving up just one goal across the final three minutes, helping Methodist secure the win.
FAST FACTS
- Oby took the lion's share of faceoffs for the Monarchs on Wednesday, finishing 12-for-20 while collecting a career-high eight ground balls.
- Legg led the team with five points, tallying four goals and an assist on the night.
UP NEXT
Methodist returns home for a match on Saturday, when the Monarchs host LaGrange College at 3 p.m. on Senior Day. A ceremony to honor the team's seniors will take place following the match.
