Lacrosse Loses Season Opener

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Lions lost their season opener to Rollins, 14-9, Friday evening in the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium. It was the season opener for the Tars as well.

Connor Fernandes led the Lions with three goals and one assist. Alex Lipsky followed with three goals and two ground balls. Hunter Maggs added two goals while Nathan Stewart provided the offense with a pair of assists. Ryan Kearney played all 60 minutes in goal for Mars Hill and made 13 saves.

Justin Diamond scored three goals to lead Rollins offensively. Clay Phillips recorded two goals and the same number of assists while Greg Taicher tallied one goal and three assists. Trey LaPorta won 20-23 face-offs for the Tars. Landon Salie played all 60 minutes in the net for Rollins and made five saves. Rollins outshot the Lions, 38-20. The Tars won the ground ball battle, 40-27. Rollins won 24-27 face-offs.

Rollins jumped out to a 4-2 lead after the first quarter and then outscored the Lions 3-1 in the second period to take a 7-3 lead into the locker room at the intermission. Rollins edged the Lions 5-4 in the third stanza before the teams scored two goals apiece in the last quarter to make the final tally 14-9 in favor of the visitors.

Taicher recorded a goal and two assists in the first half to pace the Tars. Jack Vonarb followed with one goal and one assist. Salie allowed three goals and made three saves in goal for Rollins. Rollins outshot the Lions 21-9 in the first half and picked up 18 ground balls. The Tars won all 12 first half face-offs.

Jim Garrett, Lipsky and Maggs accounted for the Lions' first half goals scoring one each. Stewart added an assist. Kearney made seven first half saves in the net for Mars Hill.

The Lions will play at Pfeiffer on Saturday, February 18. Game time is set for 2 p.m.