Buena Vista, VA - Despite a sluggish start, the Southern Virginia University men's lacrosse team collected a key win within the USA South, taking down William Peace, 19-13.

After an opening faceoff win and a couple of Southern Virginia turnovers later, William Peace was the first to find the back of the net in the opening moments. They doubled the lead after the ensuing faceoff to quickly put the Knights on their heels.

Even with the early deficit, Southern Virginia remained poised and gathered control of the game by securing four of the next five goals to capture an important lead before the end of the first, 4-3. Tyson Mauri continued his torrid pace this season by recording two of the Knights' first four goals.

Southern Virginia was flawless for most of the second quarter, tallying the next four goals led by the strong play of Clay Haacke. They were ballhawks as well, collecting 16 ground balls compared to the Pacers' 5 in the second quarter. Before the break, the Knights were in the lead, 9-5.

In the third, Pierce Brinton scored two in just ten seconds as the Knights' attackers were buzzing to the tune of seven goals in the frame. JC Winterton also bagged two goals but it was Jace Lightfoot who quietly had perhaps his best stretch of the game. The sophomore made 8 of his 20 saves in the quarter to insure a sizable lead was built before the final frame.

Things started well in the fourth with another goal from Tyson Mauri, but the Pacers wouldn't go away quietly. A string of four straight goals brough the score to 18-12 until JT Cutrer weathered the storm by scoring with just two minutes to go.

Cutrer led a stingy Knights defensive corps which caused 17 turnovers. Cutrer had four while Isaac Finley contributed with three. In the end, the Knights finished off the visitors with a score of 19-13 and had four different players record at least three goals. Clay Haacke had five and Tyson Mauri totaled 8 points to lead both teams.

Up Next

Three more USA South opponents await the Knights as they approach the postseason. Southern Virginia, who currently holds the third seed in the conference standings, will visit Brevard College on Monday, April 7th, at 6:30 PM.

For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_mlax on Instagram.