Mount Berry, GA - The Southern Virginia men's lacrosse team continued their road trip through Georgia by visiting the Vikings of Berry College for a non-conference matchup. The Knights fought hard in a contest that turned into a defensive battle, but they ultimately fell to the Vikings, 7-10.
In the first minute of play, Jace Lightfoot of the Knights made a quality save but it was quickly turned over to the Vikings who made the Knights pay with the first goal of the game. However, the Knights would not be shaken and took advantage of a man-up opportunity when Peyton Merwin used a quick release to tie the score, 1-1. Merwin would prove to have the hot hand in the early stages of the game when he roofed another goal into the top right corner of the net less than two minutes later. It was a back and forth first fifteen minutes that saw two lead changes and three ties. Southern Virginia would take a 4-3 lead into the 2nd quarter after Clay Haacke made an inside cut to sling a shot past the goalkeeper, his 16th goal of the season.
In the second quarter the Vikings peppered the Knights with 17 total shots, forcing Jace Lightfoot of the Knights to make several show-stopping saves. After Berry retook the lead with two goals of their own, Zak Sullivan nearly knotted the score at 5 when he picked up a loose ball just outside the Vikings crease and shot one square off the post.
The Knights would be held scoreless for the rest of the first half, but limited their losses by only conceding two goals to trail by a score of 4-5 at halftime. The Knights also received help from another freshman goalkeeper, Daniel Goold, who made 2 saves in relief of Jace Lightfoot while he served penalty time.
In the second half, things wouldn't come much easier for the Knights attack. Berry would score two quick goals to grow the Knights deficit to three, but the Knights wouldn't lay down as Zak Sullivan and Clay Haacke scored with shots from distance to bring the Knights within one score again. Haacke would complete another hat trick in the final quarter to lead the team in scoring, but the Vikings would score two more goals as the Knights were unable to overcome the deficit. Berry would win consecutive games for the first time this season with the victory.
Southern Virginia was outshot by the Vikings, 37-48, but would finish with 17 saves compared to Berry's 9. Ball control was one of the deciding factors as the Knights' 21 turnovers outpaced the Vikings' 15.
The Southern Virginia men's lacrosse team will return to Buena Vista for a two game home stand, starting with USA conference action against Brevard College at Knights Stadium on Saturday, March 23rd, at 11:00 AM.
For the most up-to-date details and information on the team, follow @knight_mlax on instagram and visit knightathletics.com
