Mercer University
Siena
Mercer Uses Second Half Rally to Defeat Siena, 12-11
2/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University men's lacrosse team improved to 2-0 in Five Star Stadium on Tuesday evening, winning a thriller over Siena by a final score of 12-11.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After trailing 8-4 at the halftime intermission, Mercer began to make its comeback. The Bears and Saints traded goals through the first eight minutes of the second half and then the Orange and Black attack completely took over a 12-minute stretch of play. Mercer erupted for five straight scores to take an 11-9 lead, its first of the night.
However, Siena refused to go quietly and the Saints answered with two goals to once again level the score at 11-11 with 4:31 left on the clock. Senior Chris Baxa stepped up and scored the game winner just before the two-minute mark off a pass from Chris Rahill to give Mercer the 12-11 victory in dramatic fashion.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Senior attacker Chris Baxa became the first Mercer player to record a hat-trick on the year, scoring three goals in the victory. The senior scored one goal in each of the final three quarters, including the final goal of the came which ended up being the game winner.
MERCER STAT OF THE DAY
Five of Mercer's 12 goals were scored in the fourth quarter. The five goals in the final frame are the most for Mercer in nearly two years. The last time the Bears scored 5+ goals in the fourth was against Wagner on March 30, 2014 in a 16-5 victory. Five players scored the five goals, as Baxa, Rahill, Kevin Yoggy, Lucas Wittenberg and Scott Baird each found the back of the net.
NOTABLES
- The Orange and Black are 2-0 when playing in Five Star Stadium this season.
- The win is the first over Siena in program history. The two sides are now level with one win apiece.
- The Bears won the turnover battle, giving up 10 to Siena's 17.
- Mercer recorded 17 ground balls to Siena's 12.
- The Orange and Black reached double-digits in the scoring column for the first time this season with 12 goals.
- With a fourth quarter goal, Lucas Wittenberg has now scored in all three games this season.
- Rahill led the team in assists with two, both coming on goals from Baxa.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improves to 2-1 on the season, while Siena falls to 0-3.
UP NEXT
The Bears hit the road for a tough challenge on Monday, Feb. 29. Mercer plays at No. 5 Duke in Durham, N.C. in a night game. The opening faceoff is set for 7 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.
