ATHENS, Tenn. — The Montreat College men's lacrosse team suffered a 17-11 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) loss on Thursday afternoon in the squad's league opener against the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs, a program receiving votes in the NAIA Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Top 10 Poll. With the defeat, the Cavaliers moved to 3-4 (0-1 AAC) on the year, while TWU improved to 5-2 (1-0 AAC).
 
Landon LaGro unleashed a strong offensive move early in the opening quarter, handing the Cavs a 1-0 advantage less than two minutes into the matchup. Despite the visitors' swift edge, the Bulldogs answered with three consecutive strikes to seize a 3-1 lead by the 2:34 mark.
 
Exactly 60 seconds later, Montreat halved the gap when Eli Graziosi set up Gavin Mottram for his first goal of the day. That tally concluded the scoring for the initial frame, meaning Tennessee Wesleyan wrapped up the period on top, 3-2.
 
Like the first quarter, the Cavaliers wasted little time finding the back of the net to begin the second frame. LaGro, the initial goal scorer, assisted Graziosi for his second career tally. The strike 22 seconds into the period leveled the contest at 3-3. TWU reclaimed the advantage a few moments later, but Garrett Thomson equalized with 6:42 remaining in the half to knot the scoreboard at 4-4.
 
Tennessee Wesleyan finished the second quarter on a strong note, rattling off three of the final four strikes, including a pair of man-up tallies. Mottram notched his second goal of the half with 42 seconds to go, but the hosts owned a 7-5 lead at the break.
 
The Bulldogs outscored their counterparts, 5-1, during the third frame. A trio of goals within a 62-second stretch expanded the home side's lead to 10-5 midway through the period. Justin Holland grabbed a goal back at the 6:59 mark, but TWU delivered back-to-back tallies while holding the Cavs scoreless across the last 6:34 of the quarter.
 
Montreat mounted its most prolific offensive effort of the day during the fourth frame. The Cavaliers scored five times in the period, with two of those goals coming off the stick of Holland. Mottram also achieved a hat trick with his third strike of the afternoon, while LaGro registered his second goal and Ethan Seamans uncovered his first tally. However, the Bulldogs scored five times in the fourth quarter as well, including the first two goals that pushed their advantage to 14-6. Despite a valiant effort in which many of the statistical categories were close margins, the Cavs ultimately fell by a 17-11 scoreline.
 
Tennessee Wesleyan recorded slightly more shots (40-37), shots on goal (28-27) and faceoffs (17-14) than the visitors. TWU also totaled fewer turnovers (24-22) and more extra man goals (3-0). Montreat captured more ground balls (42-35) and successful clears (23-18) than its opponent.
 
LaGro scored two goals and added an assist to go along with his career-high eight ground balls. Mottram found the net three times on six shots, with five of those landing on frame. Holland also finished with three goals on nine shot attempts, and he contributed an assist as well. Carson Bowser won eight faceoffs on Thursday, while both Nickolas Hargett and David Wright won three. Defensively, Jay Chance made 11 saves in net and secured six ground balls.
 
"Tough loss today—lots of mental errors and penalties that really hurt us and the flow of the game," said Head Coach Brian Holland. "We have a week off, so there's plenty of time to regroup, correct things and get ready for the next one at Life."
 
In its next game one week from today, the Montreat College men's lacrosse team travels to Marietta, Ga. for an AAC clash versus the (RV) Life University Running Eagles. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 19.