BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— In its final scheduled non-conference matchup of the 2024 season, the Montreat men's lacrosse team faced off with the Lees-McRae College Bobcats. After 60 minutes of play, the Cavaliers dropped the contest by a 17-2 final score, moving to a 1-4 record on the year.
Lees-McRae (3-0) jumped up on the Cavaliers using a quick spurt of offense in the first quarter. Over a span of just 1:24, the Bobcats recorded four goals to lead 4-0 midway through the initial frame. The Cavs then responded as
Grayson Scott cut into the visitors' edge with a tally from
Johnny Miles and
Justin Holland halved the gap with 2:01 left in the period. Unfortunately for Montreat, that's where the home side's scoring concluded.
LMC grabbed firm control of the matchup with an efficient second frame, outscoring the Cavaliers 6-0 to go up 10-2 at the half.
Josh Espinosa had 12 first-half saves, while the Bobcats recorded a 29-15 shots advantage, including a 22-7 lead in shots on goal. Through two quarters, Lees-McRae tallied 10 faceoff wins in 12 tries, but barely grabbed leads in clears (11-8), opposing team turnovers (14-13) and caused turnovers (6-5).
In the second half, the Bobcats pulled away by shutting down the Cavs' offensive threat. Montreat, who was held scoreless for the final 47:01 of the game, went 0-14 on extra-man opportunities as the NCAA Division II school grew its lead.
LMC scored four in the third and three in the fourth period to seal the competition in its favor. In the end, the Bobcats edged the Cavaliers in shot attempts (48-27), shots on goal (31-10), ground balls (50-31), faceoff wins (14-7), clears (19-12), opponent turnovers (28-22) and caused turnovers (10-9).
Individually, Espinosa ended with 13 saves, and
Brandon Sandoval, who played the last frame, picked up his first save in net. Espinosa scooped up a team-high 10 ground balls, while Holland caused three turnovers.
Men's lacrosse now hosts No. 4 University of the Cumberlands at Pulliam Stadium to kick off conference play. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
