MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech men's lacrosse welcomed the #18-ranked Florida Southern Mocs to Rick Stottler Field on Wednesday night. The Panthers used a strong third quarter to pull away, and a late rally by the visitors was not enough as the Panthers held on for their second straight victory and improved to 4-1 in SSC play.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: RV Florida Tech 15, #18 Florida Southern 12
Records: RV Florida Tech (5-6, 4-1 SSC) | #18 Florida Southern (8-6, 2-4 SSC)
Locations: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST QUARTER: 

• The Panthers struck first on an unassisted goal by Ben Foster with 12:11 on the clock.
• FSC evened the game at 1-1 a minute later, but Tech was able to grab a 3-1 advantage with 4:09 to go in the first quarter on another unassisted goal from Foster, followed by a tally from JR Radun.
• With 1:16 to go, the Mocs tacked on another one to cut the margin as Tech took a one-goal lead into the second frame.

SECOND QUARTER: 

• The Mocs scored two consecutive goals to take their first lead of the game, 4-3 with 13:02 to go.
• Foster had a hand in the next two Panther goals, finding Collin Stewart for his lone goal of the game, then scoring unassisted with 6:28 left in the half to tie it up, 4-4.
• Teams would trade goals over the final four minutes to go 7-7 into the break. The Panther's goals came from Zach Rozgonyi, with Stewart on the assist before Danny Richmond found Brooks Van Esselstyn in front of the net.

THIRD QUARTER: 

• The Panthers went on a 6-1 run in the third period to take a 13-8 advantage.
• Joe Coveleski got the run started on an unassisted effort with 12:42 remaining.
• Griffin Martin scored on a bouncer before Cam Johnson fired one into the back of the net.
• Martin then assisted Foster for his fourth of the day with 5:37 to go.
• Tech's final two goals of the period were scored by Nate Deplancke off a feed from Rozgonyi and Andrew Walenty, unassisted.

FOURTH QUARTER: 

• The Mocs outscored the Panthers 4-2 in the final frame, but it wasn't enough as Tech took the 15-12 win.
• The Panther goals were scored by Rozgonyi off a feed from Stewart and Martin, unassisted.
• Jax Francisco recorded four saves in the period.

NOTABLE PANTHERS: 

• Ben Foster led with five points on four goals and one assist. He also collected two ground balls.
• Griffin Martin and Zach Rozgonyi tallied three points a piece on two goals and one assist.
• Collin Stewart added three points on one goal and two assists.
• Joe Coveleski, Nate Deplancke, Brooks Van Esselstyn, Andrew Walenty, Cam Johnson, and JR Radun each posted one goal.
• Radun also tallied two caused turnovers and three ground balls.
• Danny Richmond recorded one assist.
• Ricky Fedorchak led the defense with three caused turnovers and two ground balls.
• Jax Francisco recorded 15 saves for a .556 save percentage.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech ended with an advantage in shots (43-39) and had fewer turnovers (17-15).
• Florida Southern recorded more shots on goal (27-26) and more ground balls (31-23).
• Florida Tech was 0-4 on man-up opportunities while FSC finished 1-1.
• Tech went 20-25 on clears and FSC went 13-19.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech moves to 6-6 all-time against the Florida Southern Mocassins.
• The Panthers have won five of the past seven matchups dating back to 2017. Each of the past six meetings has been decided by four goals or less.
• Zach Rozgonyi tied the program record for goals, held by Reid Chaconas '21.
• JP Panchookian moved to 10th on the all-time program leaders list for caused turnovers.
• Joe Coveleski became just the fifth Panther to score 20 goals as a freshman and the first since CJ Nicholas in 2014.
• JR Radun's goal was the first of his career.
• Ben Foster's five points are a season-high.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech is on the road Saturday April, 13^th as they head to Boca Raton, Fla. to face Lynn at 3:00 p.m.
 
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