Men’s Lacrosse Opens Season With 19-8 Win Over William Peace Sunday Night

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (March 3, 2019) – The USMMA men's lacrosse team opened the 2019 campaign with a 19-8 victory over William Peace University on Sunday evening in the Mariners' first game of their Spring Break trip down at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. With the win, Merchant Marine starts the year 1-0, while the Pacers fall to 2-2. 

Five different players recorded a hat trick for the Mariners – senior Jack Renard (San Clemente, Calif.) led all players with seven points (3G, 4A), junior Liam Connors (Bellmore, N.Y.) added six points (3G, 3A), while senior Michael Rodriguez (Coronado, Calif.) and juniors Jackson Misner (Tampa, Fla.) and Nick Roros (Northport, N.Y.) all had three goals apiece. 

Three other Mariners also found the back of the net, senior Matt Kane (Lewes, Del.) scored twice, while junior Ian McClintock (St. Augustine, Fla.) and sophomore Tristan Kelehan (Elkridge, Md.) had a goal each. Junior Mike Morsberger (Catonsville, Md.) also found the scoresheet with an assist. 

Junior Kyle Buser (Babylon, N.Y.) was a beast in the faceoff-X, winning 15-of-16 draws and picking up a game-high 12 groundballs. Connors also scooped up seven GBs, while Renard contributed to the ground-game with six.  Senior Charley Hughes (Baltimore, Md.) won six of the nine faceoffs he took.

Defensively, Connors led the way with four caused turnovers, while senior Lane Schmidt (North East, Md.), junior Jake Erickson (Cicero, N.Y.) and sophomore Zach Venanzi (Jupiter, Fla.) all had two CTs apiece.

In net, sophomore Shannon Byrne II (Severna Park, Md.) earned the victory with four saves in the first half of the game. Junior Zac Tilley (Carolina Beach, N.C.) played the second half and secured the Mariners' win with five saves. 

For William Peace, sophomore Dalton Albright led the Pacers with four goals, while junior Walker Rice added two goals and two assists. Junior Nick Shelton suffered the loss in net despite making 25 saves on the night. 

Up next, the Mariners will take on Southern Vermont University this Wednesday, March 6, again at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. The start time is TBA, but will be available on the USMMA Men's Lacrosse Schedule Page early this week.