via Embry-Riddle press release – photo by Christopher Elwell

BOX SCORE

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men’s lacrosse team started hot but struggled over the final two quarters of play and dropped a non-conference matchup 14-8 to Davenport. This was the first ever meeting between the two programs.
 
The Eagles (2-4) appeared in control for the first half of the match with an 8-5 advantage in goals by halftime. However, Embry-Riddle struggled to put shots on goal while the Panthers (3-1) had no such trouble, outscoring the Eagles 9-0 over the last 30 minutes.
 
Over the opening 11 minutes, the Blue and Gold put shot after shot in the back of the net. After winning the first faceoff, the Eagles pressed forward when Coleman Jacobs found Christian Hofer open on the left side near the net. Hofer raised his stick high above his head and rifled a shot passed Davenport’s goalie.
 
The Panthers answered with a goal 36 seconds later before Embry-Riddle scored four unanswered goals throughout the following 10 minutes. Marcus Needham, Pete Abbes, Hofer, and Jacobs each sent the ball over the goal line to put the Eagles ahead 5-1. A pair of scores by the Panthers in the final two minutes of the first quarter trimmed Embry-Riddle’s lead to 5-3.
 
Another Davenport goal brought the Panthers within one in the second period, but a spectacular over-the-shoulder goal from Jacobs had the Eagles back on top by two. After Davenport pushed another shot to the back of the net, Jacobs got right back to work with a laser of a shot from about 20 feet out for his third goal and fourth point of the contest.
 
With 11 seconds on the clock, Marcus Needham struck to give Embry-Riddle an 8-5 advantage into the break.
 
Unfortunately, from that point on, the Panthers took control with nine unanswered goals over the final two periods to down the Eagles 14-8.
 
Needham finished with a team-best six points on two goals and four assists, all of which are season highs. The freshman nearly doubled his season point total as he had seven coming into the game.
 
Embry-Riddle had an advantage in shots 36-35, led by 11 from Jacobs, but trailed in shots on goal 25-19.
 
Goalie Lucas Fraser (2-4) recorded 11 saves and led the team in ground balls with six. Additionally, Mark Urso caused a pair of turnovers.
 
Embry-Riddle is back in action on Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. as the Eagles host Emmanuel at the Embry-Riddle Lacrosse Field.