No. 19 Colorado Mesa downs Mount Olive
MOUNT OLIVE – Facing a nationally ranked opponent for the third time this season, Mount Olive dropped a 19-8 contest against No. 19 Colorado Mesa in non-conference action on Feb. 28 at Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive men’s lacrosse team dropped to 1-4 this season after playing its third-straight ranked opponent. Meanwhile, CMU improved to 3-1 after being picked first in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference while returning a pair of All-American honorable mentions, a two-time RMAC Attacker of the Year, and RMAC Freshman of the Year.
The Mavericks netted the initial three goals of the contest in the opening five-plus minutes to lead 3-0. With a swift dodge by junior Chapman Parker, the Trojans scored their first goal of the match at the 2:34 mark of the first to trail 3-1. With 39 seconds left, Colorado Mesa closed the first quarter with another goal, stretching the lead by three, 4-1.
Opening the second quarter, CMU was called for a penalty, which gave the Trojans a man-up opportunity. Folowing a pass from senior Chaz Goodman, junior Aidan Lalonde ripped a goal past the keeper at the 14:42-mark to cut the deficit to 4-2. In response, Colorado Mesa scored three straight goals to extend their lead to five, 7-2. Three minutes later, Mount Olive took advantage of their two extra man opportunities with goals from senior Samuel Skousen and Lalonde to trail 7-4. After a goal from the Mavericks, graduate student Braydon Hickey scored his first of the contest at the 2:43 mark to close the gap to 8-5. To finish the first half, Lalonde completed his hat trick to cut the deficit 9-6 at the break.
In the third quarter, the Trojans were held scoreless as Colorado Mesa extended the lead, 12-6. At the 12:24 mark of the fourth, Skousen drove toward goal and put one past the keeper but UMO still trailed 13-7. After three goals by Colorado Mesa, Goodman scored his first of the game with just under six minutes left. The Mavericks ended the last frame of the game with three more goals, sealing the 19-8 win.
Lalonde led the team with three goals and a ground ball pick up. Fellow teammate Hickey collected two assists and one goal in the contest. Junior Jacob Brown recorded a career-high 25 saves in the game after facing nearly 70 shots.
— From University of Mount Olive Athletics
