CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's lacrosse team put on a clinic this afternoon, defeating Florida Southern College 17-8 at home. The win moves the Royals to 2-1 on the year, while the Mocs fall to 1-2.
 
Duncan Smith led the Royals with a season-high six goals and one assists for seven points. Justin Swick also totaled seven points on four goals and three assists. Garrett Sadler and Griffin Stechmiller each tallied two goals, while Lazlo Henning, Jesse Oliver, and Vincent Valenza notched one apiece. Reed Murphy recorded two assists, while Nick Carlson, Jackson Hall, Oliver and Henning each totaled one. On the defensive end, Ryon Bellamy and Swick each notched two caused turnovers.
 
The Royals got off to a hot start in today's game outscoring the Mocs 4-0 in the opening period to take an early lead. Queens then put five additional points on the board in the second quarter to total nine by the halftime break. Florida Southern would find the back of the net three times in the period to trail Queens by six.
 
Swick found himself with a hat trick early in the third period after scoring a goal at 11:31 to put Queens ahead, 10-3. Smith then followed with another for the Royals a little over a minute later, giving the home team an 11-3 advantage. Kevin Dyer of the Mocs interrupted things for Queens with a goal at 9:06, but Smith responded putting two more balls in the back of the net to put the Royals up 13-4 heading into the final quarter.
 
Queens continued its run into the fourth, scoring three consecutive goals to increase their lead to 12, 16-4, with 11:13 left in regulation. The Mocs answered closing the game with four goals to Queens' one, but the Royals had put in the work early to secure their victory.
 
Queens outshot Florida Southern, 37-35, putting 26 shots on goal. The Royals also totaled 37 ground balls to Florida Southern's 22. Jonathan Paige won 18-of-22 face-offs and grabbed eight ground balls. Goalkeeper Anthony Caruso walked away with the win in goal after registering 11 saves.
 
Cody Dyer led Florida Southern with a hat trick and one assist. Colin Bayer added two goals.
 
Queens is back in action on Thursday, March 2 at Belmont Abbey College. The Royals defeated the Crusaders last season by a score of 16-10. The opening face-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.