MARS HILL, N.C. (February 9, 2012) – Starting its season in chilly North Carolina, Rollins kept pace early, but stalled in the fourth quarter, falling to Mars Hill 11-5 in its first action of 2012. James Libutti led the Tars (0-1) with two goals on two shots. Will Diamond, Stephen DeFlumeri and Chris Ross also found the back of the net for Head Coach R.J. Rossi, in his second season at the helm. Andrew Sheerin played all 60 minutes in the cage, facing 37 shots and racking up 13 saves. Taylor Thilo, T.J. Cowx and Dan Applebaum each scored twice to lead the Lions (1-0), while Dylan Price earned the win with five saves. Rollins fell into an early 3-0 hole after the first 12 minutes before Libutti found the back of the net with 3:04 to play in the first quarter. MHC was nailed for three straight penalties after the score and the Tars took advantage as Diamond found the back of the neat to draw the Tars within one goal. The Tars were hampered by a slow start to the second quarter as Mars Hill went on a 4-0 run and opened up a 7-2 advantage. Ross got Rollins going with a score four minutes before the half, but that would be all of the Tars’ offense for the first 30 minutes and went into intermission down 7-3. A pair of Lions goals early in the third pushed the hosts lead to 9-3 before back-to-back scores by DeFlumeri and Libutti pulled the Tars to within four, 9-5 heading into the fourth. Mars Hill dialed up the defense in the final quarter, however, and held Rollins without a goal while tacking on two to its final tally. Rollins will finish its season-opening road trip to the Carolina’s with a date against 2011 NCAA Tournament participant Limestone on Sunday, Feb. 12 at noon. Fans can follow all the action live as the Tars Sports Network links up to Limestone’s feed through RollinsSports.com.