BELMONT, N.C.  –  The Queens University of Charlotte men's lacrosse team, ranked 16^th nationally, used a 6-1 third-quarter run to secure its 14-8 win over No. 4 Belmont Abbey College this afternoon on the road at Alumni Field. Queens improves to 5-1 on the year while the Crusaders drop to 6-1 after being handed their first loss of the season.
 
Quinn Tallant recorded five points to match his career-high in the category after totaling four goals and one assist to lead the Royals' offense. Laszlo Henning followed with a hat trick while Justin Swick (2g, 1asst.) and Kealan Pilon (1g, 2 asst.) also added three points apiece. Jesse Oliver added a pair of goals as well. On the defensive end, Nick Rizzieri led with three caused turnovers and six ground balls.
 
Trailing 5-2 early in the second quarter, Queens came alive scoring three unanswered goals to knot the game at 5-5 with 6:17 to play. The Crusaders answered with a pair to move back in front, 7-5, but the Royals would have the last word finding the back of the net twice more to make the score 7-7 at the halftime break.
 
Queens then took over this afternoon's game in the second half of play allowing the Crusaders to just score one more goal as the visiting Royals put seven more points on the board. Queens sealed its win in the third opening with back-to-back goals from Tallant and Henning. Henning's goal would end up being the game-winner as the Royals only allowed Belmont Abbey to pull within one before closing the game with five straight goals to pick off the top-five team.  
 
Kyle Hornik's play in goal proved to be pivotal for the Royals as the junior recorded a new career-high 17 saves after Queens was outshot 39-29. The Royals put 23 shots on goal compared to Belmont Abbey's 25 shots on frame. Additionally, both teams recorded 12 face-off wins with Drew Flack tallying all of the Royals' wins in the circle. Queens also led in ground balls, 32-22.
 
Noah Haas led the Crusaders today with three goals. Bryce Gifford took the loss in goal after totaling nine saves.
 
Queens will return to action on Saturday, March 16 when they host Lincoln Memorial University. Play is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.