BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— Hosting an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contest for the first time this season, the Montreat men's lacrosse team kicked off its homestand with a matchup against the two-time defending national champions and No. 1-ranked Keiser University Seahawks. Playing well on both sides of the ball, the visitors came into Pulliam Stadium and walked away with a 24-4 triumph. Following the defeat, the Cavaliers' record moved to 0-6 (0-2 AAC).
Keiser (5-0, 3-0) backed up its No. 1 ranking early and often in Black Mountain, N.C. The Seahawks proved responsible for all 15 goals in the opening half of action. Eight of those tallies occurred during the initial quarter, while the other seven happened in the second period.
Jay Chance made 10 saves through 30 minutes of play.
The visitors poured in the first three goals of the third quarter before the Cavs got onto the scoresheet. In a man-up situation,
Landon LaGro fed a pass to
Yasiel Sihombing, who then deposited a shot between the pipes for Montreat's opening strike of the day. Keiser came back with another tally, but
Gavin Mottram answered with his seventh goal of the season. As the third quarter ended, KU maintained a 19-2 lead.
Mottram added another goal during the fourth quarter, while LaGro notched a score of his own; however, Keiser racked up five tallies across the final 15 minutes. When the final buzzer sounded, the Seahawks wrapped up their 24-4 win.
As a squad, Keiser led the majority of the statistical categories. The visitors registered more shots (52-16) and shots on goal (32-9), committed fewer turnovers (36-23), totaled more ground balls (64-26) and faceoff wins (19-12) and racked up more successful clears (14-11).
Individually, Mottram scored twice while Sihombing and LaGro each recorded a goal and an assist.
Eli King also had an assist in the defeat. Chance made 13 saves in net. Four different Cavaliers picked up four ground balls.
Montreat resumes its homestand on Thursday with a nonconference battle versus No. 9 Lawrence Technological University. Opening faceoff is set for 5 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.
