Pfeiffer Men's Lacrosse Wins Season Opener in Dramatic Fashion

Misenheimer, N.C. (Feb. 22, 2020) – The Pfeiffer University men's lacrosse team overcame a five-goal deficit in the second half to take a thrilling 19-17 win over Birmingham Southern on a sunny but cool Saturday afternoon at Lefko Field.

BSC and Pfeiffer battled to a close 8-7 score through halftime, but the visiting Panthers used a big third quarter to jump to a 13-8 lead following a Carter Watkins goal at the 8:52 mark.  Pfeiffer would then score three straight goals as John Allen and Quinn Becraft alternated goals to draw to 13-11.  BSU then closed the quarter with a goal at the 1:41 mark to carry the 14-11 lead into the fourth quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, the teams traded two goals each over the first six minutes of play.  Pfeiffer then reeled off three straight goals, one from Jacob Leone and two from senior Jared Nelson to knot the game at 16-16.  BSC would go back up 17-16 at 5:25 but two consecutive goals from Becraft put Pfeiffer ahead 18-17 with 2:44 to play.  Allen then added another goal on an assist from Becraft to provide the 19-17 final with 18 seconds left.

Pfeiffer goalkeeper James Verdier made six saves for the Falcons, and Tom Romanik added one.

The Falcons were led by Becraft, as he tallied five goals and three assists in his collegiate debut.  He also added three groundballs and caused one turnover.  Allen finished with seven goals while Nelson provided nine assists while scoring twice in the win.

Birmingham Southern's Carter Watkins scored six goals while teammate Carter McAlpin had five goals and an assist in the loss.

Pfeiffer starts the season at 1-0, giving coach Tucker Nelson his first collegiate head coaching win.  Birmingham Southern falls to 2-3 on the season with their second straight defeat.

The Falcons will return to play on Feb. 26 with a 7:00 p.m. game at Emmanuel.