WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. –– On a day where the Sailfish defense out-shined its’ offensive counterparts, No. 12 Palm Beach Atlantic grabbed a 12-7 win over No. 24 St. Andrews. This was the first MCLA game in which PBA held its’ opponents under ten goals since one year ago today–––a 13-4 win over No. 9 Sam Houston State. The Top 25 matchup in Division II was highly anticipated by Sailfish and Knights fans alike, as both teams came into the came following wins over former No. 6-ranked U.S. Coast Guard. The game began and continued early as a defensive struggle, with SAU opening the scoring at 4:50 of the first quarter. Over the next 23:30, the Sailfish defense held St. Andrews at bay, allowing the Sailfish offense to amass five goals. The ‘Fish took this 5-1 lead into the third quarter. After trading goals in the third quarter, a three goal run by Palm Beach Atlantic stretched the score to 10-4 with 10:04 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Sailfish and Knights alternated two goal runs in the fourth; SAU capped the scoring on a goal at 0:27. PLAYER OF THE GAME Freshman goalie Drake Kessell (Hagerstown, Md./South Hagerstown) is the player of the game. Drake finished with sixteen saves and 3 ground balls. His timely saves kept the ‘Fish in the game in the first half when goals were at a minimum. He also withstood a Knights barrage of shooting and held off a comeback attempt. UNSUNG HERO OF THE GAME Defenseman Anthony Curra (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens) was the leader of the Palm Beach Atlantic defense by word and by action. His six ground balls and eight caused turnovers led the defense statistically. OFFENSIVE OUTPUT PBA’s methodical offense found the net twelve times, which is a season low for a Sailfish victory. Nick Scalzo (Webster, N.Y./Jacksonville Univ.) led the ‘Fish with four goals and two assists and John Linnan (Penn Yan, N.Y./Jacksonville Univ.) had four goals. Dennis Koleda, Greg Swanson, Colin Price, and Alex Raucci also had points in the win. SERIES HISTORY Wednesday afternoon’s 12-7 victory for Palm Beach Atlantic came in PBA’s first-ever meeting with SAU. The Sailfish are now 1-0 all-time against St. Andrews University. WHAT’S ON TAP Palm Beach Atlantic finishes the Sailfish Shootout on Friday afternoon (4:30 p.m.) against Lindenwood University Belleville at The King’s Academy (8401 Belvedere Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33411). You can follow all of the action via Twitter throughout the Sailfish Shootout (www.twitter.com/pbalacrosse).