Mercer University
Wagner
Bears Pick Up First Division I Win In Program History Over Wagner
3/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
MACON, Ga. – After establishing the program's first milestone nearly a year ago to the day, the Mercer men's lacrosse team picked up its first Division I victory downing Wagner, 14-11 Friday afternoon at Bear Field.
Last season the Bears recorded the program's first win by defeating Division III Carthage at home on March 19, 2011. On Friday, head coach Jason Childs etched another program first by leading his team to the three-goal victory over the Seahawks.
After trailing by as much as four goals late in the first half, Mercer scored five goals in the fourth quarter to take the win in impressive comeback fashion. Both sophomore Eion Collins and Zack Ward recorded their first hat-tricks of their careers in the win. Ward added an assist and has now recorded a point in every game this season.
Mercer recorded program highs in nearly every statistical category including a remarkable 44 shots in the game – 28 of which were on goal. It was also the first time this season that the Bears recorded double-digit scores. The 14 goals were the most since the win last season against Carthage.
Things started out a little ominous for the Bears however, as Mercer allowed two goals over the game's first five minutes. Freshman C.J. Moore put the Bears on the board when he tallied his third of the season at the 9:32 mark of the first quarter.
The Seahawks then scored the next two goals to extend their lead to 4-1, but the Bears responded for two of their own to close out the first quarter. Ward and Collins added back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to 4-3 heading into the second period.
In the second, the teams traded three goals apiece with Wagner scoring the first three and Mercer netting shots from Nate Link, Ward and Collins to finish the half strong. Heading into the third quarter the Bears trailed 7-6.
Wagner's Nick DePhillips goal at 12:10 pushed the Seahawks back ahead by two before the Mercer would mount its comeback. Freshman Timmy Geran brought the Bears back within one with his second of the year – an unassisted shot from 10 yards out.
Mercer then tallied back-to-back goals with under two minutes to play in the quarter and in the process took the lead for the first time off an unassisted goal by Brett Eisenmann.
The Seahawks countered with the quarter's two final goals, including a controversial goal coming with just two seconds left in the quarter. Wagner had reclaimed the lead 10-9 heading into the fourth.
Mercer's momentum shift had already taken place when Nate Link scored his second to tie the game at 10 at the 12:38 mark of the fourth. Link was one of four Mercer players to record multiple goals on the day.
Midway through the final quarter, Sam Grayson again pushed the Bears ahead and Eoin Collins would bury the eventual game-winner as the two scored within a minute of each other. Mercer held a 12-10 with under five minutes and fought off a number of late scoring chances from the Seahawks to keep the win within sight.
Sophomore goalkeeper, Justin Bateman had a tremendous game for the Bears in goal making 14 saves including three in the final three minutes to keep the Bears on top.
Late unassisted goals from Zack Ward and Jay DeBole sealed the win for Bateman, making him the only goalkeeper to with a win in program history. Bateman tallied the victory last season against Carthage as well.
The Bears will ride the victory into next Wednesday's game at Towson. Next week's game starts a four-game road trip for the Bears before the team finishes out the 2012 season at home against St. Joseph's on April 21st.
