WINGATE, N.C. - The fourth-ranked Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team trailed 5-3 at halftime, before outpacing the 11th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs over the final 30-minutes 7-1 en route to a 10-6 season opening victory at Graham Gill Field.  

After three minutes of scoreless action the Lakers broke through as a pair of Zach Lorenz offerings went wide before Devin Pipher stuck his first of the season behind Edward Erickson for the 1-0 lead.  The hosts went in search of an equalizer, but Daniel Godwin was denied by Hunter Emerson.  Caleb Kueber doubled the guests delight at the 8:11 mark, before pushing the advantage to 3-0, 5:06 later.  Reese Orman recorded the final chance of the frame, but it sailed wide left. 

The Bulldogs found their footing in the second quarter as Adam Vodovnik took a feed from Danny Riley and beat Emerson  Then, just 10-seconds later Noah Ehinger notched an unassisted tally to make it 3-2.  With 4:18 remaining a failed clear attempt by the Lakers resulted in a goal for Riley to level the contest.  Wingate got their first lead of the game less than a minute later as Bobby Padden scooped up a ground ball and hit the cage.  Vodovnik would net his second of the period before the break for the 5-3 edge. 

Wingate would help Mercyhurst pull back to within one when a loose ball was picked up by Mark Taccard who tried to play the ball back to Erickson who had vacated the cage and the ball was sent into the empty net to cut it down to 5-4.  Three minutes later the Lakers got even when Dan Kritkausky found Kueber for his hat trick.  Kritkausky earned his second point of the quarter as he set up Jacob Emerson to put the visitors in front 6-5 through three.  

Mercyhurst went on to put the game away in the fourth as Benjamin Smith-Wilcox and James Wittmeyer hit the back of the net in the opening five minutes to extend the advantage to 8-5.  Two minutes after Kueber continued his red-hot afternoon by taking a pass from Pipher and sticking it past Erickson.  Emerson would add his second to make it 10-5, before the Bulldogs converted on a man-up opportunity to close out the scoring at 10-6.  

Wingate outshot Mercyhurst 42-32 (19-17 on goal).  The Lakers only committed 10 turnovers to the Bulldogs 21.  Both sides were strong on the clear as the visitors were 23-26, while the host went 12-16.  

Kueber led the Lakers with five points on four goals and an assist.  J. Emerson also had two goals and two points.  The group of Pipher, Kritkausky, Wittmeyer and Smith-Wilcox totaled six points on three goals and three helpers.  Nathan Grenon, Shawn Doran, Kueber, and Pipher each had three ground balls.  Emerson made 13 saves in the win. 

Riley had a three points to pace the 'Dogs, while Vodovnik and Padden added two goals each.  Noah Ehinger had a game-high 10 groundballs.  Erickson turned away seven shots in the defeat.  

Mercyhurst will have their Home Opener next Saturday, February 15 when they welcome Lewis University to Saxon Stadium for an 11 am start.