Mercer University
Towson
Mercer Drops Season Opener at No. 16 Towson
2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
TOWSON, Md. – The Mercer University men's lacrosse team opened the season on Friday evening at No. 16 Towson. The Tigers proved worthy of their preseason ranking, claiming an 11-2 win over the Bears.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The hosts jumped out to an early lead and controlled play for the majority of the first half. The Tigers scored four goals in the first quarter while the Mercer offense took a while to get going.
After Towson added two more goals in the first six minutes of the second stanza, Mercer freshman midfielder Lucas Wittenberg scored the first goal of the season for the Bears to draw within five with 6:08 remaining in the half. Towson went on to add one more score in the first half to take a 7-1 lead into halftime.
Towson added four more goals in the second half to lead 11-1 before Mercer's Shawn Carter scored in the final minute of the game off a pass from Wittenberg to make the final score 11-2.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
In the first game of his collegiate career, freshman midfielder Lucas Wittenberg made his mark by scoring the Bears' first goal of the season and then later adding an assist to finish the contest with two points. Wittenberg was the only Bear to post multiple points in the season opener.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
Mercer's two goals were scored by players making their debuts for the Orange and Black. Wittenberg and freshman Shawn Carter both found the back of the net for the Bears. Wittenberg assisted on Carter's goal in the fourth quarter.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
Mercer's two goals were scored by players making their debuts for the Orange and Black. Wittenberg and freshman Shawn Carter both found the back of the net for the Bears. Wittenberg assisted on Carter's goal in the fourth quarter.
NOTABLES
- The Orange and Black dropped to 0-3 in the all-time series with Towson.
- Mike Nugent recorded double-digit saves for the 29th time in his Mercer career.
- The Bears finished 14-for-16 on clearance opportunities for the evening.
- Sophomore James Fromert led the team in shots on goal with three.
- Lucas Wittenberg, Shawn Carter, Gabriel Anderson and Hank Morgan each made starts in the first game of their Mercer careers.
- Jake Priester and Will Beecham came off the bench to make their Mercer debut.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer is 0-1 on the young season, while Towson starts 1-0.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Macon next weekend for their home opener against Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Feb. 12. The game is set to start at 1 p.m.
STAY SOCIAL
For all the latest information and up-to-the-minute updates on Mercer men's lacrosse, please follow the team on Twitter at @MercerLacrosse.
