Box Score

ERIE, Pa.- The #11 Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team beat Lindenwood, 10-5, Saturday afternoon. Jake McAndrew led with three goals and two assists in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) match at blustery Tullio Field.
 
The game was back and forth much of the day. The score was tied at three after two quarters. A Lion goal tied it at five with 5:31 remaining in the third period. A Lindenwood turnover set up a Laker possession late in the frame. Deven Alves set up Connor Enright for a blast, putting Mercyhurst ahead, 6-5, with 53 seconds left.
 
Mitch McAvoy won the ensuing faceoff and sprinted into the offensive zone. He found Brady Heseltine, who threw back to a hard-charging Ryan Sullivan. Sullivan's laser found the back of the net with 45 seconds showing on the clock.
 
Lindenwood committed a turnover early in the fourth quarter and the Lakers were ready to capitalize. Brandon Thomson picked up the ground ball and eventually hit McAndrew for a goal and an 8-5 advantage with 14:26 left.
 
The Lakers had momentum and looked to stretch their margin. They attempted nine shots in the next few minutes of action. After a Lion penalty, McAndrew set up a Chad Levick goal with 4:04 to play. McAndrew capped the scoring at the 1:59 mark.
 
The visitors opened the game with a goal after just 2:08 of play. The Lakers hit the post twice and then Sullivan caused a turnover. That set up a Thomson goal at the 5:55 mark. Matt Condon picked up the assist.
 
Thomson nicked the post again early in the second period. Tyler Nash made a save and an outlet to boost the Laker attack. Cory Becker hit Thomson for another score with 11:08 left in the half. After another Nash stop, Thomson found Ian Brooks for a 3-1 lead with 7:55 remaining in the second frame. The Lions responded with a pair of goals late in the half, sending the contest into the break even at three.
 
Nash came up with a save early in the third. Sullivan collected the ground ball and sent the ball ahead. With 11:07 to play, McAndrew assisted on a Brady Heseltine goal for a 4-3 edge. Thirty seconds later, Lindenwood evened the score again.
 
Andrew Wagner forced another Lion miscue with 7:43 to play in the period. Mercyhurst took advantage, as Trevor Vargo found McAndrew for a goal at the 6:45 mark. However, the visitors tied it again just over a minute later.
 
McAndrew finished with a hat trick and two assists. Thomson had two goals and two helpers. Heseltine added a goal and an assist. Nash totaled eight saves in his first career home start in goal. Kyle Stanney caused four turnovers and tallied four ground balls. Mercyhurst outshot Lindenwood, 35-21, and forced 20 Lion turnovers.
 
The Lakers improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the ECAC. Lindenwood fell to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the conference. Mercyhurst heads to Walsh for another ECAC match on Tuesday, March 25.