Box Score

MISENHEIMER, NC - The Pfeiffer men's lacrosse team (1-0) won its season opener over a tough Florida Southern team (0-1) by a final score of 15-9 on a sunny afternoon at NE Lefko Field. Pfeiffer used five first quarter goals to win their opener for the fourth consecutive year. After missing all of last season, Tucker Hammock returned in a big way, netting four goals and handing out two assists on the afternoon.

James Shepard and Matthew Michaeli each scored twice for Pfeiffer and Robert Hope added a goal and two assists.

The Mocs were led by three goals apiece from Chris Murphy and Dane Sorenson.

Pfeiffer took control from the outset, running out to a 5-1 lead after the first 15 minutes of play. Pfeiffer dominated the early stages of the contest, outshooting Florida Southern 17-2 in the first quarter. Hammock started the scoring just under five minutes into the quarter, but Murphy answered 1:35 later to tie the game. Pfeiffer would score four straight capped by an unassisted goal by Zac Clark with 24 seconds to go.

Pfeiffer added four more goals in the second period and went into the break with a 9-5 advantage.

Florida Southern scored the first two goals of the second half, pulling within 9-7. However, Hope and Michaeli answered to extend the lead to four goals. With two seconds left in the period, Sorenson tallied his third goal and gave the visitors some momentum going into the fourth quarter.

Pfeiffer would dominate the fourth frame. Steven Tilmon scored just over three minutes into the quarter and Elliot Gilbert would add a tally 2:34 later. Murphy's third cut the lead to 13-9 with 4:01 to play but Michaeli iced the game with his second score with 1:30 to play. Hammock tacked on his third goal with 1:02 to play as Pfeiffer was a man down.

Preseason All-American Hayden Kirk was tremendous in goal, making 16 saves in the win. Matt Lalli made five stops in a losing effort.

For the game, Pfeiffer's man down unit held the Mocs to just 2-for-10 in extra man opportunities. Pfeiffer held a 24-18 advantage in ground balls and forced the Mocs into 17 turnovers.