Bears Put Up First Half Fight Against #6 Richmond

Monday, February 16

Richmond, Va.

Noon

Mercer University

3-1, 0-0

#6 Richmond

3-0, 0-0

Mercer

Richmond

Bears Put Up First Half Fight Against #6 Richmond

2/16/2026 2:34:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

By: Kaylin Flukey, Kaylin.flukey@live.mercer.edu

RICHMOND, Va. – The Mercer men's lacrosse team held #6 Richmond to just five goals in the first half, scoring four to enter halftime within one goal of the Spiders. Richmond came out of halftime with a lot of momentum and took a 15-5 victory over Mercer at Robins Stadium in Richmond on Saturday afternoon.

Mercer's offense was led by junior attackman Dillon Bush two posted two goals on the day. Senior midfielder Dylan McKelvy found the back of the net for the first time this season while Kade McNeil and Will Zylstra each added a goal for the Bears. Sophomore Christopher Cappelmann went 12-22 at the faceoff X and scooped up seven ground balls. Senior defenseman Quinn Kelley picked up four groundballs alongside Thomas Venzie who picked up three groundballs and caused two turnovers. Freshman goalkeeper Jacob Neuman recorded a career-high 14 saves with nine in the first half against the Spiders.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Richmond wasted no time getting on the board, scoring their first goal just nine seconds into play. The Bears answered the call with Bush's first goal of the day at the 13:06 mark. Richmond found the back of the net for the second time at the 11:26 mark while scoring began to slow down. Each side scored one goal each, including McKelvy's first of the season for Mercer, heading into the second quarter.
The Spiders opened up scoring in the second half but was shortly followed by back-to-back Mercer goals from Zylstra and Bush to tie the game 4-4. The game remained tied until the 2:23 mark in the second quarter when Richmond snuck one by Neuman to take the one-point lead heading into halftime.
Richmond came out of halftime hot scoring four goals in a row, not allowing Mercer to find the back of the net until the 6:00 mark when Kade McNeil picked up his lone goal of the day and the last one for the Bears. McNeil's goal closed out scoring for both sides in the third quarter putting the score 9-5 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Spiders shutdown the Bears in the fourth quarter, scoring six goals and not allowing Mercer to find the back of the net once, securing their third win of the season and best start since 2017.

TOP BEARS

Neuman posted a career and game-high of 14 saves, including nine in the first half.
Bush led the Bears with two goals on the day.
The Mercer defense held powerhouse Richmond to just five goals in the first half.

NOTABLES

The Bears held the Spiders to the lowest point differential that the team has had all season heading into halftime.
Bush extends his scoring streak to 17 games.

UP NEXT

The Bears will return to Macon on Monday, February 23 to host #11 Army at Five Star Stadium, facing a ranked opponent for the second time in a row, in a 11 a.m. matchup against the Black Knights.

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