BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat men's lacrosse team played its final non-conference game of the season Monday afternoon when it hosted the Tiffin University Dragons, an NCAA Division II program, at Pulliam Stadium in Black Mountain, N.C. While the Cavaliers surrendered just one goal in the first quarter, a strong second period set the visitors up for success as they went on to take the matchup, 19-7, and drop the hosts to 1-6 on the year.
 
Tiffin (3-2) notched the contest's opening tally 5:49 into the initial frame, but the Cavs answered minutes later with back-to-back goals. Grayson Scott set up Eli King's game-tying strike at the 7:54 mark, and Connor Walsh delivered a go-ahead score 45 seconds later for the 2-1 lead.
 
Defense reigned supreme over the remainder of the first quarter as neither side managed to register an additional goal. Josh Espinosa made eight of his 10 first-half saves in the opening period, allowing the home team to maintain a 2-1 advantage through 15 minutes of action.
 
The Dragons flipped a switch in the second, recording all eight goals in the quarter. As a result, TU entered halftime with a 9-2 lead.
 
Holding a 7-goal lead at the intermission, Tiffin possessed edges in shots (26-13), shots on goal (19-7), faceoffs won (8-4), ground balls (26-20) and caused turnovers (6-3). The visitors also committed seven less turnovers themselves (13-6).
 
Jay Chance's seventh tally of the season started a stretch in which the two teams combined for seven goals across a 3:25 span. Walsh scored twice to complete his hat trick during the offensive spree, but the Cavaliers still trailed their opposition with 10 minutes left in the third, 13-5.
 
The Dragons collected a pair of goals during the final 1:48 of the frame, and they deposited two more shots into the net less than 90 seconds into the fourth quarter for their largest lead of the night (18-5). Chance and Johnny Miles sandwiched another TU strike, but the visitors had their victory. When the final buzzer sounded, Tiffin captured its 19-7 win.
 
Thanks to advantages in successful clears (23-17), caused turnovers (14-5), ground balls (54-42) and faceoffs won (16-13), the Dragons racked up noticeable edges in both shots (56-23) and shots on goal (35-14). Montreat committed more turnovers than its counterpart (29-16), but Espinosa totaled a season-best 16 saves. Walsh led the hosts with his three goals, while Justin Holland and Scott dished out two assists.
 
The Montreat men's lacrosse team begins a 3-game road trip on Monday when it visits No. 2 Webber International University for Appalachian Athletic Conference action. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Babson Park, Fla.