MARS HILL, N.C. –Queens University of Charlotte (7-4, 3-2 CC) lost 8-7 to Mars Hill College (10-3, 5-1 DS) this afternoon in non-conference men's lacrosse action. Today's loss caps a three game skid for the Royals heading into the Conference Carolinas Tournament next weekend being held at the Queens Sports Complex at Marion Diehl Park.
The Lions opened the game scoring two goals getting an early lead. Queens responded when Matthew Michael (Easton, Pa., Easton) and T.C. Whaley (Carlsbad, Calif., La Costa Canyon) notched back-to-back goals tying the game up at two. However, Mars Hill was able to close the period with two additional goals scored by Tim Burns and Tyler Farmer giving the home team the lead yet again.
The second quarter of the game was all Queens as the Royals were able to notch four goals taking the lead and entering halftime up by two points, 6-4. Four different Royals scored during the lead changing run.
In the third, Erick Benesch rattled off two straight goals for the Lions tying the game up with 4:36 left on the clock. Alex Wesenberg (Bloominton, Minn., Jefferson) would answer firing a ball into the net about a minute later putting the lead back in Queens' hands heading in to the final period.
Both teams had trouble find the back of the net early in the fourth until Tyler Farmer of Mars Hill was able tally a goal at the 8:25 mark tying the game up at seven. Overtime seemed to be approaching with the clock counting down when Farmer was able to squeeze another ball past Queens' Brandon Macknew (Abington, Md., Bel Air)with 39-seconds left on the clock giving the Lions the lead, 8-7.
Queens would misfire on two shots as the final horn approached giving the win to the Lions.
Whaley led Queens with a goal and an assist. Joe Taylor (Aurburn, N.Y., Auburn) scored a goal, had nine ground balls and won 11-18 face-off attempts. Macknew played 60 minutes in the net for Queens and made 15 saves.
Farmer led the Lions (10-3) with three goals on the day. He added a ground ball and a caused turnover. Benesch followed with two goals. Dylan Price played all 90 minutes in goal for Mars Hill and made 16 saves.
Mars Hill out shot Queens, 37-32 and edged the Royals in ground balls, 31-30.
The Royals will be back in action at the Conference Carolinas Tournament. Queens awaits the tournament seed announcement.
