ERIE, Pa. - The 12th-ranked Mercyhurst University men's lacrosse team exploded for nine second-half goals to break open a tight game and defeat #14 Queens University of Charlotte, NC, 15-5 on a snowy Sunday at Tullio Field. The Lakers improved to 1-1 on the young season while Queens fell to 2-4.

Both teams traded goals in the opening period until the Lakers put back-to-back scores on the board to end the quarter with a 4-2 lead. Sophomore James Crowe scored twice in the first period while senior Trevor Vargo and sophomore Jon Antonio added one apiece.
 
The Lakers increased their lead to four, 6-2, after Crowe scored consecutive goals in the second.  With the half coming to a close, however, Queens scored twice in the final minute, one while up-a-man.
 
Mercyhurst took charge early in the third quarter, scoring twice in the first five minutes. Queens got to within 8-5, scoring with 5:27 to play in the third, but the Lakers answered with four scores to close the quarter with a 12-5 lead. Vargo scored three times in the quarter, including one with an extra man. Junior Cory Becker added a pair and sophomore Keyan McQueen also scored while the Lakers were up-a-man. The Lakers then got fourth quarter goals from Crowe, McQueen (extra man) and Antonio for the final margin.
 
Queens was outshot 46-21 - 30-11 in shots-on-goal - and lost the ground ball battle, 24-19. Sophomore Benjamin Brooks and freshman Ryan Vitale led the Lakers with six ground balls apiece while Vitale won 8-of-14 faceoffs. The Royals also committed 19 turnovers to Mercyhurst's nine.
 
Crowe finished play with five goals to lead the Lakers, while Vargo added four goals. Becker notched two goals and three assists. McQueen and Antonio had two scores apiece.

Each team finished three-of-six with the extra man.

Mercyhurst graduate student Michael Grace made six saves to pick up his first win of the season in goal.

Evan Farkas led the Royals with two goals and one assist. Eric Dolan took the loss in net for the Royals and was credited with 15 saves.

The Lakers will play Le Moyne College next Saturday, March 7, at a site and time to-be-announced.