LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Southern College men's lacrosse (0-5) fell to Rockhurst University (3-2) with a final score of 13-9 on Monday night at Berend Field. The Moccasins took an early lead with a 6-4 advantage at halftime, but Rockhurst surged in the third quarter with five unanswered goals. Florida Southern's efforts included winning 17 faceoffs and securing 43 ground balls, but ultimately Rockhurst's scoring in the second half proved decisive.
Florida Southern began the first quarter with a strong start, winning the initial faceoff and quickly capitalizing with a goal by senior
Caiden Wiech, assisted by junior
Kristian Kent, at the 13:53 mark. This early momentum was sustained as they continued to control possession, with sophomore
Luke Secreti, who was making his first start for the Moccasins in goal, making crucial saves to maintain the lead.
Midway through the quarter, freshman
Elijah Terry extended FSC's advantage with a goal, assisted by senior
Jack Epley, at 6:44. The team effectively managed the clock and maintained defensive pressure, preventing Rockhurst from finding the back of the net. The quarter concluded with Florida Southern leading 2-0.
The second quarter began with Florida Southern gaining momentum quickly as junior
Maddux Walton scored just 23 seconds in, marking his eighth goal of the season. Senior
Nolan Tighe followed up with his first goal of the season, pushing the lead to 4-0. Freshman
Angus Walko then capitalized on an assist from Walton, extending the lead further to 5-0.
Rockhurst responded with a goal from Nolan Hartl, yet Walton struck again, assisted by Walko, to maintain a five-goal advantage at 6-1. Despite Rockhurst's late surge with three consecutive goals from Jonah McConnell and Linus Toward, the Mocs held onto their lead, closing the quarter at 6-4.
The third quarter began with a swift momentum shift as Rockhurst's Carson Bradshaw scored just seconds in, tying the game. Florida Southern responded aggressively with multiple shot attempts by senior
Jacob Czyz, Walton, Terry, and Wiech but failed to convert, hitting the post and missing narrowly.
Rockhurst capitalized on this opportunity, scoring three consecutive goals, including another from Bradshaw and one each from Avery Moody and Ryan Rezendes, extending its lead. Florida Southern managed several clear attempts and ground ball recoveries but was unable to find the back of the net despite chances from freshman
Brady Schnurr and Kent.
The quarter closed with Rockhurst adding one more goal from Tyler Smith. Florida Southern's efforts in the latter part of the quarter, including a ground ball pickup by freshman
Brody Ritter, could not alter the score, concluding the quarter with Rockhurst leading 9-6.
Florida Southern initiated the fourth quarter with a strong start. Czyz was integral, winning the faceoff and subsequently scoring just 14 seconds after Walton's goal, assisted by Terry. This early offensive push brought FSC within one goal of Rockhurst, 9-8.
Rockhurst responded with a goal by Toward, followed by another man-up goal, extending its lead. Despite a scoring drive by Florida Southern, which included a goal from Schnurr assisted by Walko, Rockhurst maintained its lead with two additional goals. Florida Southern's aggressive attempt to close the gap in the remaining minutes was met with several saves by Rockhurst's Brock Ollila.
The quarter closed with Rockhurst leading 13-9, despite FSC's persistent efforts and strong plays throughout the quarter.
Czyz recorded 16 face-off wins, significantly contributing to Florida Southern's control of possession, while scooping up a game-high 11 ground balls. Walton led the scoring with three goals and added an assist, demonstrating his ability to convert opportunities into points. Walko contributed to the team's offense by tallying one goal and providing two assists, enhancing the overall play. Terry added to the attack with one goal and one assist, showcasing his versatility on the field.
Defensively, a trio of Moccasins finished with three caused turnovers including Walton, junior
Charlie Fisher and junior
Alex Haughn. Haughn finished with six ground balls to lead the non-face off specialists in the category. Secreti, who was making his first start, began the game on fire with five saves over the opening 15 minutes of action but finished the game with six total saves.
Toward led Rockhurst with a standout performance, scoring three goals, including the game-winner, and converting on a power play. Jonah McConnell was pivotal with two goals and three assists, driving the offensive momentum. Carson Bradshaw contributed two goals and secured nine faceoff wins, showcasing his effectiveness in both scoring and possession. In goal, Brock Ollila made a significant impact with 14 saves on 41 shots faced, maintaining a strong presence in the net.
The Moccasins have an overall record of 0-5. Rockhurst has an overall record of 3-2.
Up next for Florida Southern travels to Grand Junction, Colo., for a neutral site game versus Adams State on Tuesday, March 3. The matchup is set to begin at 1 p.m. at Community Hospital Unity Field.
