Catawba Upsets Lions in DSC Semifinals

MARS HILL, N.C. - Catawba College's lacrosse team upset no. 10 Mars Hill College 9-7 in the semifinal round of the Deep South Conference Tournament. The game was played in the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium. The Lions fell to 11-3 on the season while the Indians improved to 13-2 on the year.

Braden Artem led the Indians with a game high four goals. John Scheich followed with one goal and three assists while Tom Cullop came off the bench to add a goal and two assists. Michael Pecchia played extremely well in goal for Catawba making 25 saves facing 43 shots.

Cade Zulak led MHC with two goals and three ground balls. Dan Applebaum followed with a goal and an assist. Dylan Price played all 60 minutes in the net for the Lions and made 13 saves.

MHC outshot Catawba, 43-39. The Lions also won the ground ball battle, 31-20. Catawba won 11-20 face-offs and was 1-2 on extra man opportunities. MHC was 0-1 in extra man opportunities.

Catawba won the first quarter 2-1 before MHC outscored the Indians 4-2 in the second frame to take a 5-4 lead into the locker room at the intermission.

The third stanza was all Catawba as they scored three unanswered goals to take the lead (7-5) for good heading into the last period. Cullop notched what would later prove to be the game winner at the 8:41 mark of the third quarter. His goal was unassisted. The fourth quarter saw each team score twice to make the final tally 9-7 in favor of the Indians.

In the other DSC semifinal, Florida Southern upset Tampa, 11-7. Mars Hill will host the DSC Championship game on Sunday, April 15. The event which will pit the Indians of Catawba College against the Moccasins of Florida Southern is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.