Mercer University
VMI
Mercer Locks Down VMI in Blowout Win, 13-2
3/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University men's lacrosse team recorded its most lopsided win of the season on Saturday afternoon, as the Bears defeated VMI by a final score of 13-2 in Five Star Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orange and Black controlled the tilt from the opening faceoff, scoring five goals in the opening quarter to take a commanding 5-0 lead through 15 minutes of play. The second stanza was much of the same for Mercer, outscoring the Keydets 3-0 to go into the halftime intermission with an 8-0 advantage. Six of the Bears first eight goals came from Matt Quinn and Chris Baxa, as Quinn scored four in the first half and Baxa added two.
The Mercer defense continued to put the clamps down on the VMI attack in the second half, keeping the shutout intact through three quarters. The Bears added two goals in the third quarter to push their lead to double figures at 10-0. After scoring two goals in the final frame, VMI got on the board with just over five minutes to play to spoil the shutout attempt. The Bears won by a final of 13-2.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Sophomore Matt Quinn had a phenomenal game, scoring a career-high four goals to lead the Orange and Black in scoring. The Stevensville, Md., product found the back of the net twice in both the first and second quarters. Quinn was a model of offensive efficiency against the Keydets, using only four shots to score the four goals.
MERCER STAT OF THE DAY
Saturday's defensive performance was historic for the Mercer lacrosse program. The two goals allowed are the fewest in program history for a game. Furthermore, the Bears had never shut out the opposition through three quarters of play until Saturday's contest against VMI. Senior goalie Mike Nugent made nine saves to help keep the clean sheet through 45 minutes. Another big factor was Mercer won 13-of-19 faceoffs, its highest percentage of the season.
NOTABLES
- Mercer is 4-2 against VMI in the all-time series.
- The 11-goal win is the largest margin of victory this season.
- The Bears are now 3-1 when playing in Five Star Stadium in 2016.
- Quinn's four goals are the most in a single game of any Mercer player this season.
- Quinn has now scored in six straight contests and has six goals in his last two outings.
- Chris Baxa scored two goals, marking five straight games with a score. The senior has 12 goals over his last five outings.
- Scott Baird recorded four points in the victory from two goals and two assists. Baird has scored multiple goals in three games this season.
- Baird's two assists mark a career high for the sophomore.
- Jackson Teague and Pascal Coombs each scored their first goals of the season. It was the second goal of Teague's career and the first for Coombs.
- Other players who scored a goal were Lucas Wittenberg (5th of the season), Shawn Carter (4) and Chris Rahill (4).
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improves to 3-4 on the season and 1-1 in SoCon action, while VMI is now 1-8 on the year and 0-2 in league play.
UP NEXT
The Bears will be on the road for the upcoming three weekends. The Orange and Black travel to Philadelphia on Saturday, March 26 to take on Drexel. 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.
