Jupiter Christian alum Keegan Southard 3G, King’s Academy Brad Wharton 2G in the win

BOX SCORE

Men’s Lacrosse Moves to 4-0 After Comeback Win Against the Eagles

by Simeon Strauss, Athletic Communications Assistant

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.- The Palm Beach Atlantic men’s lacrosse team advanced to 4-0 after a 11-10 win against Concordia University Irvine on Thursday night. The Sailfish (4-0) hosted the Eagles (1-4) for their first home game of the 2024 season.

Concordia Irvine got themselves a quick goal within 20 seconds of the first quarter, but shortly after an Eagles penalty to give the Sailfish a man-up opportunity, Hunter Hopman found Keegan Southard for the first goal of the game for PBA to even the score. Just under nine minutes into the quarter, Concordia Irvine would take the lead once again. At about the five-minute mark, Hopman would get into the scoring column after a tough shot from the ground to tie the score at 2-2. The Eagles would respond with heavy defensive pressure that led to a few PBA turnovers, which allowed them to score two goals before the end of the first. 

It took both teams a good amount of time to score, but thankfully Keegan Southard would score his second goal of the night after Ty Wright picked up the ground ball to give the ‘Fish possession. The Sailfish would then tie up the game at four apiece after Hopman scored his second goal of the night on an assist by Dominic Barnshaw. With a little under four minutes remaining in the quarter, Hunter Sheffield would get a penalty that unfortunately gave the Eagles a man-up opportunity, which then led to a score to put them back on top at 5-4. After a timeout by the PBA, Henry Sloyan found Brad Wharton for the goal to tie the game at 5-5. Concordia had a chance to take the lead before the half, but a save by Brendan Pedisich kept the score even going into the break.

Pedisich would also open up the second half with a nice save after the Eagles won the face-off, which then led to Cooper Porter getting his first goal of the night and the ‘Fish their first lead of the game. Concordia Irvine would then go on a 3-0 run to give themselves a two-point advantage. The Sailfish would cut the deficit to one after a find by Tyler Hopkins to Hopman for his second goal of the evening. The score going into the fourth was 8-7 Eagles. 

Concordia Irvine put the pressure on the ‘Fish to start the final quarter after scoring two quick goals to put them up 10-7. With nine minutes remaining, Hopkins would get in on the scoring action thanks to an assist from Barnshaw. Momentum quickly shifted to the Sailfish, and three minutes later, Porter would score his second goal to make it a one-point game. Terror would then strike for the Eagles after Keegan Southard tied the game up at 10 with just under three minutes remaining. Concordia Irvine would try to respond back with a goal, but another clutch save and ground ball by Pedisich gave the ‘Fish the ball in the final two minutes. At the 1:15 mark, Wharton gave PBA the lead, and the Sailfish were able to hold the Eagles off on the defensive end to get the victory.

Hopman and Southard were the leaders on the night for goals with three a piece. Hopman also had an assist to go along with his stat sheet along with Hopkins. Southard was also able to pick up four ground balls. Pedisich was the goalie for the entire game and recorded eleven saves on 10 attempts. 

The men’s lacrosse team will have a couple weeks off until their next game due to spring break and will begin conference play against the Panthers from Florida Tech University on Saturday, March 16 at 7 p.m. It will be their second home game of the year.