YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The Florida Tech men's lacrosse team picked up another key early-season win Saturday, as the Panthers played spoiler and handed Young Harris a 13-9 loss in its home opener at YHC Soccer & Lacrosse Field.

The Crimson & Gray are now 2-0 in road games to start the season. The Mountain Lions, on the other hand, were defeated for the first time this season, after starting the year 3-0.

The Panthers were the first on the board Saturday as Reid Chaconas beat his defender on a dodge from the top of the box and blasted a rocket to the top corner to give Tech a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the contest.

Brad Schillinger then picked off a YHC clear attempt and sent it over to a wide-open Brett Pohlmeyer who beat the goalie one-on-one to make the score 2-0 with 10:14 left in the first quarter.

After Young Harris scored its first of the game, the Panthers ensued on a 6-0 run that spanned much of the first and second quarters and increased Tech's lead to 8-1 with 9:53 to go in the half. Schillinger scored three goals as part of the spree to complete a first-half hat trick, while Brennan Banks accounted for two goals during the run.

YHC answered with three consecutive tallies to draw within four of Florida Tech, 8-4, with 1:22 remaining before halftime. But the Panthers found the back of the net one more time in the first half as Tommy Bowser fed Luke Palmisano for his first goal of the year, and to make the score 9-4 with 13 seconds left in the second period.  

Logan Sweeney's only goal of the matchup kicked off the third-quarter scoring and pushed the Panthers' advantage to 10-4.

However, the Mountain Lions would climb their way back into the game thanks to a 4-1 run that trimmed Tech's lead to 11-8 with 10:28 to go in the fourth.

Schillinger quickly answered for the Panthers, scoring his fourth of the game on an assist by Bowser. Chaconas then sealed the deal with his third goal, giving Florida Tech a five-score advantage with exactly one minute remaining.

YHC added one more tally with 17 seconds to go but it was too little too late, as the Panthers walked away with another hard-fought non-conference win.

"This was a team win today," said head coach Mark Penn. "The guys came out focused and started fast. We showed more maturity today, but we still need to put together four quarters of good lacrosse."

Schillinger posted the best game of his career against Young Harris, going for a career-high five points on four goals and one assist. The four scores are also a career-best for the senior.

Logan Sweeney ended with a goal and three assists, while Bowser dished out four dimes and picked up two ground balls in the win. Chaconas notched a hat trick and Banks tallied the first two goals of his collegiate career. Three other players scored one goal in the contest.

Ryan Land dominated the x for Florida Tech; winning 18-of-26 face-offs while also collecting a game-high nine ground balls.

"Ryan Land did a great job on winning face-offs and setting the tone," said Penn. "Our focuses as a team today were ground balls, face-offs, rides and goalie play. We won those battles and that allowed us to win the war."

Addison Abramson was all over the field on Saturday, scoring a goal, collecting six ground balls and two caused turnovers for the Panthers. Thomas Gribben, Bryce Johnson and Jake Pierson all forced a turnover in the game.

Daniel Flock had another solid performance in goal for Florida Tech, closing out the contest with 11 saves while facing 20 shots.

The Panthers finished with a significant edge in shots (60-27), while also collecting more ground balls (32-22). Tech went 16-of-20 on clears but struggled on the man-up, going 0-6.

"We are looking forward to playing in our own backyard this week, opening our home schedule and facing another tough opponent," Penn stated. All we can do is grow this week and try to focus on one game at a time."  

Next up, Florida Tech hosts Catawba for its home opener this Saturday, Feb. 23. Opening face-off between the Panthers and Indians is set for 11 a.m. at Panther Field.

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