Mercer University
Wagner
Collins' Late Tally Lifts Men's Lacrosse Over Wagner, 12-11
3/9/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – For the second time in four days, the Mercer men's lacrosse team tallied a late fourth quarter goal to capture a one-point victory in enemy territory. On Saturday, junior midfielder Eoin Collins netted the game winner with 3:07 on the clock to lift the Bears over Wagner, 12-11 at Hamline Field.
Mercer's second-straight win lifted the team to 3-2 on the season while Wagner fell to 0-4. Mercer's win also established the program's first winning streak in three years of history.
"I think it's great to be able to go on the road and win two close games in the fourth quarter," Mercer head coach Kyle Hannan. "One thing that's becoming evident is that our players believe in what they're doing and each other. Winning games late shows a lot of character. I also give Wagner a lot of credit as well; they played extremely well with a lot of emotion and passion."
Eight different Mercer players scored a goal in the winning effort, led by freshman attackman Chris Baxa, who found the net four times. Baxa also added an assist to equal his season-high of five points.
A tight contest throughout saw Mercer enter the final quarter trailing 11-10. With 4:10 to play, junior midfielder Harry Baker assisted Baxa's fourth goal of the afternoon to pull the Bears even at 11-11.
Sophomore midfielder Justin Evans won the ensuing faceoff and junior attackman Zack Ward fired a shot that went wide of its mark. Junior attackman John Avent secured the ground ball, and Collins scored what would ultimately be the winner seven seconds later.
Evans won the next faceoff and Wagner mustered only one shot in the final three minutes of play.
Mercer closed its four-game road trip at 2-2 and will return to action hosting Marquette at the Moye Lacrosse Complex at 2 p.m. on March 12.
