Mercer University
Bellarmine
Mercer Undone by Bellarmine's Big Fourth Quarter
3/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Mercer University men's lacrosse team held a 7-5 lead through the first 45 minutes of play in the SoCon opener at Bellarmine. Unfortunately for the Bears, the lead would not hold as the Knights scored six unanswered goals in the fourth to win by a final of 11-7 on Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orange and Black could not have asked for a better start to Saturday's game, as the team exploded out of the gates to a 4-0 lead through the opening 15 minutes. Matt Quinn and Chris Baxa got the Bears off on the right foot, as the two players each notched a goal in the opening six minutes. Mercer finished the quarter in a flurry, scoring twice in the final minute of the first to double its lead to 4-0. Ben LeSane scored with 50 seconds left before Scott Baird beat the clock, finding the back of the net with one tick left in the frame.
Bellarmine responded with a strong second quarter, outscoring the Bears 5-1 to tie the game at 5-5 heading into the halftime intermission. Mercer's lone goal of the second quarter came from LeSane, his second of the day.
The Mercer defense locked in during the third quarter, shutting out the Knights over the next 15 minutes of play. In that span, the offense added two goals to give the Bears a 7-5 lead heading to the fourth quarter. Baird and Quinn were responsible for the scores, each netting their second of the day. However, the game took a sudden turn in the final frame, as Bellarmine outscored Mercer 6-0 to record a comeback win by a final score of 11-7.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Sophomore midfielder Matt Quinn recorded a multi-goal performance for the first time this season and third time in his Mercer career with two goals against Bellarmine. Quinn scored the first goal of the day to give the Bears a 1-0 lead and then gave his team a lead once again with his second score, putting Mercer ahead 6-5 in the third quarter.
MERCER STAT OF THE DAY
Saturday marks the second time this season that three Bears score 2+ goals in the same game, the first coming against Siena (2/23).
NOTABLES
- The Orange and Black are 1-5 against Bellarmine in the all-time series.
- Chris Baxa recorded a goal, marking four straight games with a score. The senior has 10 goals over his last four outings.
- Quinn, Scott Baird and Ben LeSane all scored two goals against the Knights.
- Quinn has six goals this season.
- LeSane notched multiple goals in a game for the second time this season. The senior has five goals in 2016.
- With two goas, Baird has six goals on the year. He has scored 2+ goals in two games this season.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer moves to 2-4 on the season and 0-1 in SoCon action, while Bellarmine is now 3-4 on the year and 1-0 in league play.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Macon for its SoCon home opener next Saturday, March 19, as Mercer welcomes VMI to town. The game is slated to begin at 1 p.m. in Five Star Stadium.
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.
