Mercer University
UMBC
Men's Lacrosse Drops 15-6 Decision at UMBC
3/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
BALTIMORE, Md. – The Mercer men's lacrosse team saw its two-game winning streak snapped at the hands of Maryland-Baltimore County on Tuesday night, falling 15-6 at UMBC Stadium.
Mercer freshman James Tautkus registered a career-high three goals in the losing effort, while senior Zack Ward chipped in three goals of his own.
UMBC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes before Tautkus scored his first goal of the evening with help from an assist by sophomore Chris Baxa. From there, the teams would each tally one score before halftime, placing the Retrievers at a 4-2 advantage at the break.
Out of halftime, the hosts rattled off seven-straight scores to assume a commanding 11-2 lead with 1:18 left in the third quarter. Ward scored two goals in the opening six minutes of the fourth quarter, but the Bears couldn't get closer than seven of the lead from that point on.
Tautkus posted his hat trick on just five shots. Ward's three goals came on seven shots in conjunction with two ground balls.
Sophomore goalkeeper Mike Nugent made 14 saves in 60 minutes of work and dropped to 2-3 on the year. Junior faceoff specialist Justin Evans won 12-of-24 faceoffs while notching seven ground balls and forcing one turnover.
Baxa finished with two assists while senior Cole Branch, senior Eoin Collins and freshman Chris Rahill also collected assists.
Mercer returns to action hosting Atlantic Sun foe VMI on Saturday. Game time at Mercer University Stadium is slated for noon.
