Bears Defeat Royals To Open ASUN Play

Saturday, March 28

Charlotte, N.C.

2 p.m.

Mercer University

5-4, 0-1

Queens

4-5, 1-0

MERCER

Queens

3/28/2026 3:52:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

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

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Mercer men's lacrosse team took down Queens in the first ASUN conference contest of the 2026 season 7-4 on Saturday afternoon in Charlotte at Queens Sports Complex.

Sophomore attackman Will Zylstra led the scoring for the Bears with three goals and an assist in the victory. Junior attackman Dillon Bush put up two goals of his own while Michael Frederick and Ganon Cope also found the back of the net for the Bears. Mercer's defense was on lockdown with Thomas Venzie causing three turnovers and picking up six groundballs. Brady Corkill posted two caused turnovers and three groundballs while Quinn Kelley tallied five ground balls and five caused turnovers. Between the pipes for the Bears, Jacob Neuman recorded 15 saves (.789) in the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Mercer opened up scoring off of Zylstra's first goal of the day at the 11:24 mark and scored his second goal at the 5:15 mark to put the Bears up 2-0 in the first quarter. Queens was able to find the back of the net with just minute left on the clock before the second quarter.
The second quarter remained scoreless until Zylstra scored his third goal at the 4:41 mark and was followed up shortly by a Queens goal at the 2:27 mark. Frederick gave the Bears a little more cushion heading into halftime with a goal at the 0:28 mark.
Bush got in on the scoring just a minute into play in the third quarter off of an assist from Zylstra and was the lone goal scored in the third quarter for both sides.
The Royals scored their fourth goal of the game with 6:38 left on the clock in the fourth quarter but Bush and Cope responded with back-to-back goals to give Mercer the advantage and push them towards a 1-0 start in conference play.

TOP BEARS

Three Bears defenders combined for 10 caused turnovers and 14 ground balls.
Neuman posted a career-high 15 saves.
Zylstra recorded his fourth hat trick of the season.

NOTABLES

Mercer improves to 5-4 on the season and 1-0 in the ASUN.
The Royals fall to 4-5 on the year.

UP NEXT

The Bears will return to Macon to host Utah for another ASUN contest at Five Star Stadium on Saturday, April 4 at 11 a.m.

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