HICKORY, N.C. – The 16^th-ranked Queens University of Charlotte Royals were knocked out of postseason play in the 2022 South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship this evening after falling 16-11 to No. 3 Limestone University in the semifinals.
 
Super senior Kealan Pilon led the Royals with five goals. Pat Marks added two goals and two assists while Tyler Ewen chipped in with two goals. Hunter Meyer and Jack Royer each scored one goal. In goal, William Powley recorded nine saves.
 
Queens was outshot 43-29 today, though the shot on goal count was much closer with the Saints leading 25-20. Limestone also won at the face-off, 17-13, and totaled 41 ground balls to Queens' 27.
 
The Royals jumped on the Saints early, scoring two goals in the first five minutes of action to lead. However, Limestone responded with three unanswered to move in front, 3-2, with 4:59 on the clock. A goal from Marks at 4:06 knotted the game at 3-3 and that score held until the end of the period.
 
Limestone then outscored the Royals 4-1 in the second quarter to take a 7-4 lead at the halftime break.
 
Following a Saints goal out of the break, Queens' Pilon put two balls in the back of the net to help the Royals pull within two, 8-6. Limestone ended the short spurt with a goal at 7:38 before Pilon netted his third of the quarter in a man-up opportunity. At the end of the period, Queens trailed 11-8.
 
A pair of goals early in the final period kept the Saints within reach, but a 4-0 push by Limestone helped them take control for good and advance to the SAC Championship Final.
 
Mike McGarry led the Saints with six goals while Gavin Kesselring added four goals.
 
The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Selection Show is scheduled for May 8.
 
Be sure to follow the men's lacrosse team on Twitter @QueensMLAX and Instagram @queens_mlax to stay up to date with everything surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on all social media platforms by searching @QueensAthletics.