Mercer University
High Point
Men's Lacrosse Downs High Point in Overtime, 12-11
3/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
MACON, Ga. – Mercer freshman Scott Baird netted two goals, including an unassisted overtime game winner to lift the men's lacrosse team to a thrilling 12-11 win over High Point in Saturday's Southern Conference opener at Five Star Stadium.
Mercer jumped to 1-5 (1-0 SoCon) on the year while High Point lost its second-straight and fell to 3-5 (0-1 SoCon).
With 1:28 to go in regulation, the Bears and Panthers were locked in a 10-10 tie when Mercer sophomore Chris Rahill fought off two defenders and found freshman Bryan Gibson open for a go-ahead goal.
Mercer senior Justin Evans won the ensuing faceoff, but a turnover gave High Point possession with roughly a minute to play. The Panthers would eventually get an equalizing tally from Michael Leclair with 26 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
High Point won the overtime faceoff and Leclair had a look at a game-winner, but Mercer junior Mike Nugent made a crucial save and freshman Patrick de Hueck secured the ground ball.
Mercer peppered High Point goalie Austin Geisler with four shots over the next minute, but couldn't manage to find the net until Baird found himself isolated against a single defender on the right side. Baird put his back to the defender, pivoted and unleashed a high shot that deflected off Geisler and trickled into the goal with 1:47 on the clock.
Baird's two-goal performance came on just three shots. His classmate Jackson Kleintz registered a hat-trick with three goals to go along with three ground balls.
Rahill paced the Mercer offense with six points on two goals and four assists. Two of his assists came in the final 7:33 of regulation. Senior Tim Geran scored twice and had an assist while juniors Chris Baxa and Ben LeSane each scored once.
Nugent finished with 20 saves, marking the second time this season he's registered 20 or more stops. Mercer's defenders forced High Point into nine turnovers, with sophomore Michael Edwards, freshman Dustin White and freshman Josh Adams all notching a caused turnover.
Evans won 12 of 26 faceoffs taken and the Bears were 20-of-21 on clear attempts. The hosts were also 3-of-4 on extra man opportunities, as Rahill, Baxa and Kleintz all scored man-up goals.
Shots finished dead even at 45-45, but the Bears benefited from a 30-21 advantage in ground balls. Evans booked a team-high five ground balls while Rahill and Adams secured four apiece.
Mercer improved to 2-0 in conference openers and 4-0 in league regular season home games under head coach Kyle Hannan. The Bears continue SoCon play at Furman on March 21.
