BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat College men's lacrosse team came up just short against the University of Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines on Tuesday evening at Pulliam Stadium. Behind a seven-goal fourth quarter, UM-D snuck past the Cavaliers by a 16-14 final. With the result, Montreat moved to 3-3 on the year, while Michigan-Dearborn improved to 3-2.
 
A strong first quarter saw the Cavs climb into the driver's seat early in the contest. Despite the Wolverines notching the game's initial tally 3:06 into the matchup, that proved to be the visitors' only goal of the frame against a stellar defensive showing from Montreat. Meanwhile, the hosts rattled off four straight strikes to seize a comfortable advantage.
 
Justin Holland assisted Nickolas Hargett for a man-up goal that evened the score less than a third of the way into the period. Holland than notched a tally of his own midway through the quarter to seize a 2-1 lead. Back-to-back D'Andrae McKenzie goals, the first of which was a man-down effort, carried the Cavaliers to a 4-1 edge through one frame of play.
 
Landon LaGro pushed the lead to 5-1 merely 40 seconds after the second quarter began. Michigan-Dearborn drew within three again less than two minutes later, but McKenzie only needed another 41 seconds to achieve his hat trick and reclaim the four-goal lead at 6-2.
 
Five consecutive UM-D tallies flipped its deficit into a lead. Momentum didn't stay on the Wolverines' side, however, as Gavin Mottram's man-up goal and another McKenzie strike ensured that Montreat entered the halftime break on top, 8-7.
 
The two sides combined for a total of four goals in the third quarter, with each team scoring twice. Michigan-Dearborn tied the contest at 8-8 a little over five-and-a-half minutes into the period. Ethan Seamans and Mottram responded, though, unleashing consecutive goals just 1:35 apart. The Wolverines managed to find the back of the net late in the frame, meaning the Cavs' lead was back down to one with 15 minutes to go (10-9).
 
Saving its best for last, Michigan-Dearborn poured in seven goals during the final quarter. LaGro and Hargett joined McKenzie in producing on the attack, but the hosts couldn't keep up with the visitors' late flurry. The Wolverines led by as many as four in the fourth (15-11), and they wrapped up the evening with a 16-14 win.
 
Statistically, the Cavaliers held the edge in shots (55-39), shots on goal (30-27), clears (22-15) and extra man tallies (4-2). Michigan-Dearborn finished the matchup with more faceoffs (18-14), ground balls (53-48) and saves (16-11).
 
McKenzie led Montreat with a career-high six goals on 13 shots, including four unassisted tallies. LaGro and Hargett each contributed two goals and an assist, while Mottram also scored twice. Holland registered a squad-best three assists. David Wright went 12-for-21 in the faceoff circle, and Jay Chance made 11 saves in net.
 
Looking ahead, the Montreat College men's lacrosse team begins its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) slate on Thursday, March 12 at Tennessee Wesleyan University. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Athens, Tenn.