Lions open 2023 season against No. 16 Belmont Abbey
The Mars Hill men's lacrosse team (0-1) fell to No. 16 Belmont Abbey (1-0) by a score of 10-5 Saturday evening to open their 2023 season.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's lacrosse team (0-1) fell to No. 16 Belmont Abbey (1-0) by a score of 10-5 Saturday evening to open their 2023 season.
The Crusaders led 4-3 entering the final 15 minutes of play before pulling away and securing the win. Scoring two goals just 10 seconds apart, the Crusaders would go on to score five in the fourth to double up the Lions. Mars Hill goals came from Brandon Woodward and Cole Ross.
Belmont Abbey opened the scoring with 1:21 remaining in the first frame as Tim Palmer scored a man-up goal.
To open the second quarter, Trevor Kennedy scored back-to-back goals, both assisted by Austin Stroud, to give the Lions the lead. Goals by Tre Childers and Palmer, both assisted by Michael Canavan, put the Crusaders up 3-2 entering the half.
Just 39 seconds into the third, Ross tied the game for Mars Hill at three. Riley Arsenault, in the final 6:19 of the frame, scored twice to provide a cushion entering the fourth quarter.
Canavan led all players with five points (5a) followed by Matthew Wyatt (2g, 1a). Kennedy led the Lions with three points (2g, 1a) while both Ross (2g) and Stroud (2a) ended the night with two points apiece.
Thomas Sullivan stopped 10 shots for the win while Steven Smith made 20 saves in the loss.
Mars Hill hosts Lees-McRae on Wednesday, February 8 inside Meares Stadium. The contest is slated for a 7 p.m. start.