Mocs Fall in Tough Battle Against Belmont Abbey

BELMONT, N.C. â€" With snow and rain falling up until the start of the match-up, Florida Southern and Belmont Abbey would battle each other till the very end on a soft muddy field here Saturday afternoon, but the Crusaders would win the battle of attrition and defeat the Moccasins 7-6 in the closing minutes of the contest at Alumni Field on the campus of Belmont Abbey College.

The Crusaders, who remained unbeaten (4-0) on the season, would get up quickly on the Mocs, who fell to 2-2 on the season, with one goal in the first period and two straight goals in the second period to go up 3-0 early.

However the Mocs would wipe away the lead in less than three minutes as Corey Brown and Stephen Boyle hooked up twice to get within one. On both plays Brown found Boyle in front of net for two straight goals that were only 33 seconds apart. Kevin Naslonski added his team leading ninth goal, off an assist from Chris Murphy of the season two minutes later to tie it up at three. Belmont Abbey would score with a little over two minutes remaining in the half to head into halftime up 4-3 over the Mocs.

Dane Sorensen would tie the game out almost immediately out of the half on an assist from Jonny Riley. Belmont Abbey and FSC would trade goals again before the third period was finished to head into the fourth and final period all tied up at 5-5.

Both defenses played almost 12 minutes of shutout defense in the fourth period as the Mocs were able to take the lead at 3:27 left in the game of an unassisted goal by Sorensen. Sorensen would scrounge for a ground ball in front of the home net, finally pick it up and stick it in for the goal. 

With the Mocs up 6-5 the Crusaders would find the net twice in span of 31 seconds to regain the lead with a 1:59 left on the game clock. FSC would have a number of shot attempts on goal but the Belmont Abbey goalie would come up big with saves to hold off the Mocs. 

The best chance for the Mocs was with 24 seconds left as a Belmont Abbey player was called for a penalty giving the Mocs a man-up opportunity with only seconds remaining in the game. One final shot would go wide of the target securing the win for the Crusaders.

Earning his first loss on the season was goalie Jay Kuhn, who fell to 2-1 on the season. Kuhn gave up all seven goals and was a big presence between the pipes for the Mocs as he stopped 11 shots, seven of which came in the first half; he also picked up a season-high five ground balls.

Leading the way offensively for the Mocs was Boyle and Sorensen who both had two goals on the afternoon. DJ Lubs, who had a seven ground ball performance in the previous game against Wingate, only picked-up one ground ball on the afternoon but caused four turnovers during the game. Trennell Boggans also picked-up five ground balls on the afternoon.

The only statistical catergory the Mocs won other than saves was face-offs, which the Mocs went 9-of-16 at including a 8-of-13 performance by Dan Krispinsky.

The Crusaders were led offensively by Daniel Marshall who scored three goals and Tanner Scharr who scored two including the game winner. Earning the win for the Crusaders was Brett Lawless who saved eight goals on the afternoon.

The Mocs next contest will be this upcoming Thursday, March 7 as they play host to Wheeling Jesuit. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Bryant Stadium.