BELMONT, N.C. – The Florida Tech men's lacrosse team holds Belmont Abbey to a program record two goals in their 14-2 win on Saturday, Mar. 7. With the win, Tech improves to 4-2 while the Crusaders fall to 3-3.
 
GAME INFORMATION 
Score: RV Florida Tech 14 | RV Belmont Abbey 2 
Records: RV Florida Tech 4-2 (0-0 SSC) | RV Belmont Abbey 3-3 (SAC 1-0)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Florida 
 
GAME NOTES
FIRST QUARTER

• After winning the opening faceoff, Belmont Abbey fired a shot within the first 20 seconds that was saved by Jax Francisco.
• Tech had multiple opportunities to score with three consecutive shots at the 12:47, 12:31 and 12:15 mark, but all shots were off target.
• Garrett Gmeiner caused a Crusader turnover which led to the first goal of the afternoon scored by Reed Herbert.
• Thomas Strong forced Belmont Abbey into a turnover under four minutes. Brooks van Esselstyn found the back of the net to push Tech's lead to two.
• Francisco was excellent as he stopped three Crusader shots as the Panthers blanked Belmont Abbey in the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

• Thomas Strong scored to continue the Tech offensive run.
• After a save by Francisco, the Panthers fired fifth shots at the Crusader goal to no avail.
• Tech would heat up as Brooks van Esselstyn scored just under the 10-minute mark with an assist by Quinn Olson.
• After a Carter Batt faceoff win, Joe Coveleski shot passed the BAC goalie to stretch the lead to 5-0.
• Jonah Borynec and Thomas Strong both scored unassisted after two more faceoff wins by Carter Batt.
• Strong would notch his third goal of the quarter with 4:54 on the clock.
• The Florida Tech offensive run would reach 10-0 with goals from van Esselstyn and Robert McNamara. Van Esselstyn's goal would secure the hat trick.
• Belmont Abbey finally stopped the bleeding with a goal at the 1:40 mark.
• Tech would go into halftime with a 10-1 lead.
• The Panthers fired 22 shots during the period.

THIRD QUARTER

• A defensive third quarter saw both teams combine for 13 turnovers. 
• Only 14 shots would be fired, Francisco allowed no goals and save two shots in the period.
• The lone goal was score by Jack Cornwell with six seconds left in the quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Thomas Strong notched his fourth goal of the game off a nice assist by Aidan Addison.
• Jonah Borynec scored his second unassisted goal of the game with 10:37 remaining.
• Parker Kane became the eighth Panther to score in the game with three minutes left. Robert McNamara credited with the assist. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Thomas Strong led all players with four goals in the game.
• Carter Batt put together a nice game as he won eight faceoffs and picked up six ground balls.
• Brooks van Esselstyn recorded a hat trick on three shots. He added two ground balls and two caused turnovers.
• The Panthers defense did not allow a power play goal as the Crusaders were 0-3 in extra man opportunities.
• Both teams picked up 28 ground balls each

COACHES CORNER
"We had a solid effort today from Jax on out", said Head Coach Brad MacArthur. "Even with some banged up players, the next man up mentality carried us. Offensively, we had several contributors, but I think when we're on, we'll be a hard matchup. Now our challenge is to find that consistency and carry it forward. We'll cherish this one on the bus ride home and turn the focus to our next opponent tomorrow."
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will return home to Rick Stottler field in a sunshine state clash with No. 15 Flagler on Friday, Mar. 13. First faceoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST.