BELMONT, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's lacrosse team traveled to take on No. 11 Belmont Abbey College, falling 14-6 to the Crusaders. The loss moves the Royals to 2-2 on the year, while Belmont Abbey improves to 3-1 on the season.
 
Jesse Oliver led the Royals' offensive efforts, scoring two goals this afternoon. Additionally, Duncan Smith, Steven Swift, Laszlo Henning and Eric Fitz each scored one goal while Garrett Sadler and Vincent Valenza tallied one assist apiece. Griffin Stechmiller led in ground balls with five, and Jake Coleman totaled three caused turnovers.
 
After the Crusaders opened play with a pair of goals to lead 2-0, Queens' Swift and Fitz answered with a goal apiece to knot the game at 2-2 with 3:07 to play in the quarter. However, Belmont Abbey responded with three straight scores to close the period with a 5-2 lead.
 
The Crusaders continued their run into the second quarter as Sean Hanrahan put a point on the board at 10:30, but Oliver's goal at the eight minute mark interrupted their run and closed the gap to three, 6-3. A couple of goals from the Crusaders in closing minutes of the half then put Belmont Abbey on top 8-3 at the break.
 
After the halftime break, the Crusaders were first to strike as Liam Osborne found the back of the net at 14:07 to extend his team's lead to six, 9-3. Another goal from Queens' Oliver would follow at 12:23 to make it a five-point game, but Belmont Abbey answered rattling off three consecutive goals to take a 12-4 lead into the final 15 minutes of action.
 
In the fourth quarter, Smith zipped a ball into the net at 11:16 to cut the deficit to seven, but a Crusaders goal matched his efforts to increase the home team's lead back out to eight. Each team then scored an additional goal before the final horn sounded.
 
Queens outshot the Crusaders, 35-32, putting 19 shots on goal to Belmont Abbey's 21. The Royals also edged the Crusaders in ground balls, 30-28, and won 13 face-offs to Bemont Abbey's 10. Anthony Caruso took the loss in goal after registering five saves.
 
The Crusaders were led by Adam Wiedemann who totaled six points on three goals and three asssits. Kyle McGinley added two goals and an assist, while Brendan McGovern had one goal and two assists. Hanrahan recorded one goal and one assist. Harley Whitman totaled 13 saves.
 
Queens is back at home on Saturday when they host Catawba College at 1 p.m.