Jeremy Zalacca - Director of Athletic Communications

MISENHEIMER, N.C. - Matt Michaeli netted a hat trick as the Pfeiffer men's lacrosse team (8-5, 3-2 CC) clinched a berth in the Conference Carolinas Tournament with a 12-9 victory over North Greenville (4-10, 2-4 CC) on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons erased a 5-3 second quarter deficit and held North Greenville scoreless for 20:49 of game action to secure the victory.

Blade Garlow, Kyle Enkelmann, Derek Thomas and Cole Sheen all scored twice in the victory. Michaeli added seven ground balls for the Falcons who have a showdown with Belmont Abbey in the regular season finale with third place in the conference in the balance.

The two teams combined for 18 turnovers in the first quarter before settling in. The Falcons took the early advantage as Michaeli scored at the 12:26 mark. After North Greenville evened the score, the final 32 seconds of the opening frame produced three scores. Ben Austin started the barrage and Michaeli answered with six seconds remaining. However, the Crusaders seized the momentum as Jalen Bell won the faceoff and scored as the buzzer sounded to make the score 3-2.

The Crusaders scored the first three goals of the second quarter to take a 5-3 lead. Thomas and Sheen evened the score before Alex Proly netted a Crusader goal. With 17 seconds left, Enkelmann found the back of the net to send the game to halftime with the score tied at 6.

Pfeiffer kept NGU off the scoreboard for the entire third quarter and pushed the lead to 8-6. The Crusaders pulled within one goal at the 10:09 mark but Pfeiffer scored three straight to seal the victory.

Proly finished with three goals and an assist for North Greenville and Drew Warren had three helpers.

Michael Moorehead made 13 saves to improve to 8-5 in goal. Pfeiffer held a 13-11 advantage in faceoffs and a 35-33 lead in shots.

On Saturday, Pfeiffer concludes the regular season with a home game against Belmont Abbey. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.