MELBOURNE, FL - The Lenoir-Rhyne men's lacrosse team took care of business on Sunday, defeating No. 3 seeded Florida Tech 15-8 to advance to the NCAA quartefinals for the sixth time in program history.
The Bears never trailed in this one, leading 8-2 after one quarter and holding at least a five-goal lead for the rest of the game.
Owen Peters made 13 crucial saves in the win.
Jarrett Huff tied Lenoir-Rhyne's NCAA Tournament points record with seven (3g, 4a).
Donovan Powell led the Bears with five goals, one shy of LR's tournament record.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: (6) Lenoir-Rhyne 15, (3) Florida Tech 8
Records: #9 Lenoir-Rhyne (12-4), #7 Florida Tech (12-5)
Location: Melbourne, Fla. | Rick Stottler Field
STORY OF THE GAME
- Lenoir-Rhyne jumped out to a 3-0 lead just over two minutes in thanks to goals from Owen Scott, Cooper Starcke, and Donovan Powell.
- Morgan Madish scored the final two goals of the quarter to put the Bears up 8-2 after one.
- The Bears out-shot the Panthers 20-6 in the opening quarter.
- Powell scored with five seconds left in the half and Lenoir-Rhyne went into the locker room up 11-3.
- Florida Tech opened the third on a 3-0 run before two consecutive goals from Powell gave Lenoir-Rhyne the momentum back.
- Nate Serrano scored Lenoir-Rhyne's only two goals of the fourth as the visitors worked the clock to preserve the victory.
STATS OF THE GAME
- Five Bears finished with multiple goals, led by Donovan Powell's five and Jarrett Huff's three.
- Owen Peters made 13 saves, giving him double digit saves in back-to-back games for the first time in his Bear career.
- Freshman Mac Murphy caused three turnovers.
- Matthew Mancini was 12-19 on face-offs.
- Florida Tech out-shot the Bears 42-40 but put just 21 of those on goal, compared to 26 for Lenoir-Rhyne.
- Both teams finished with 13 turnovers.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- This was Florida Tech's first NCAA appearance.
- Lenoir-Rhyne now has 11 NCAA tournament victories, six of which have been away from home.
- Donovan Powell's 14 goals are tied with Will Canata for the fourth most NCAA Tournament goals in program history.
- Jarrett Huff's 10 NCAA Tournament assists are third in program history.
NEXT UP: Lenoir-Rhyne will host an NCAA quarterfinal matchup against SAC foe Anderson on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. The No. 7 seeded Trojans upset No. 2 seeded Wingate 21-13 in their matchup today. More information will be released in the coming days.
