Lions Fall to Lincoln Memorial

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Lions (3-6, 1-5 SAC) lacrosse team dropped an 11-4 decision to visiting Lincoln Memorial (7-5, 3-3 SAC) on Sunday afternoon at Meares Stadium. A 6-1 run in favor of the Railsplitters in the third period opened the game up and eventually sealed the win for the visitors.

Jake Trafton led the Lions offensively with two goals on three shots while also picking up three groundballs. Connor Fernandes and Nathan Stewart each added a goal and Stewart collected a team-high six grounders. Asyck Schildt anchored the defense with six caused turnovers to go along with his five groundballs.

Adam Golia led LMU with four goals and Josh Hernandez picked up five off the ground. Lincoln Memorial totaled 33 shots compared to 27 for MHU and took 10-of-18 faceoffs on the afternoon.

The Railsplitters went up 2-0 just two and a half minutes into the contest after scores from Billy Kopsy and Golia. Stewart got the Lions on the board with 2:20 remaining in the opening period with an unassisted score, but LMU earned that point right back as Golia tallied his second goal of the contest with 24 ticks left on the first quarter clock.

Lincoln Memorial regained its two-goal advantage at the 12:54 mark of the second quarter when Robert Tucker found the back of the cage, but back-to-back goals from Trafton pulled the Lions to a single point heading into halftime.

However, that was as close as the score would be as LMU used a huge third quarter to blow the game open, leading 10-5 heading into the final stanza. The Railsplitters notched the only score in the fourth and took home the 11-4 victory.

The Lions will return to action on Wednesday, April 12 as they step out of conference to take on the Mountain Lions of Young Harris College. That contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Meares Stadium.