LAKELAND, FL - Derek Thomas' goal with 2:57 to play was the game-winner as Pfeiffer (1-0) opened the 2015 season with a huge 16-15 road victory over No. 10 Florida Southern (0-1) on Saturday afternoon. Today marked the second straight year that Pfeiffer opened the season by defeating the Mocs as they came away with a 15-9 win to open 2014.

The Falcons were led by redshirt freshman Eddie Renaud who scored five goals in his Pfeiffer debut. Matt Michaeli and Kyle Pauwels each netted three goals for the Falcons and Mike Triolo finished with one goal and three assists. Cole Paciejewski also had four points for the Falcons on two goals and two assists.

The Falcons never trailed after the 14:40 mark of the second quarter and used a 7-1 spurt in the second period to extend the lead to 11-5. Two goals at the end of the period would cut Pfeiffer's lead to 11-7 heading into the half.

Pfeiffer went into the fourth quarter with a 15-12 lead but three straight goals by the hosts evened the score at 15 with 3:48 to play. However, Thomas answered 51 seconds later as his shot from the left wing beat Florida Southern's goalkeeper and gave Pfeiffer the lead. The Mocs fired three shots in the final 15 seconds, including one from close range with less than a second on the clock, but Pfeiffer's goalie Michael Moorehead made the big save as time expired.

Dane Sorensen had a monster effort in defeat for Florida Southern, finishing the contest with seven goals and two assists.

Florida Southern held a 60-52 advantage in shots for the contest and Pfeiffer led the ground ball battle, 48-44. The Mocs won 19 of 33 face-offs but couldn't stop Pfeiffer's extra man offense as the Falcons were a perfect 4-for-4 on the man advantage.

Pfeiffer forced 22 turnovers on the defensive end, led by five from Kevin Kerrick. Triolo led the way with seven ground balls and Michaeli, Thomas and Paciejewski each added five each. Capstaff made five saves before giving way to Moorehead to start the second half and Moorehead made eight saves.

The Falcons will look to ride the momentum from this big win as they prepare for their home opener on Feb. 14. Pfeiffer will welcome Mars Hill to Misenheimer with the game slated for a 2 p.m. start. Last season, Pfeiffer defeated the Lions 18-11, their first victory over Mars Hill since 2004.