FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist men's lacrosse team closed out its regular season on Saturday afternoon with a tightly contested USA South matchup, falling 11–8 to Southern Virginia University at Monarch Stadium.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Southern Virginia def. Methodist, 11–8
Records: Methodist 7–8 (4–4 USA South), Southern Virginia 8–9 (7–1 USA South)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Southern Virginia struck first with two goals in the opening quarter, but Methodist responded early in the second period with three straight goals to take a 3–2 lead. The Knights answered to even the score at 3–3 before junior Michael Tucker found the back of the net, giving the Monarchs a 4–3 advantage heading into halftime.
- Methodist carried its momentum into the third quarter, with senior RJ Breeden and sophomore Owen Andrews each scoring to help build a 6–4 lead. However, Southern Virginia closed the period on a 3–0 run to regain control, taking a 7–6 lead into the final quarter.
- Breeden opened the fourth quarter with his third goal of the game to tie the score at 7–7, but the Knights responded with four of the game's final five goals to pull away and secure the 11–8 victory.
FAST FACTS
- Breeden led Methodist with three goals.
- Senior J.R. Newman recorded a career-high three assists and added four ground balls, a season-high.
- Freshman Nick Ratnesar went 8-for-14 at the faceoff X and collected a team-high six ground balls.
UP NEXT
Methodist now turns its focus to the USA South Men's Lacrosse Tournament, traveling to fourth-seeded Greensboro College for a first-round matchup on Saturday, April 25.
