Misenheimer, NC – The Pfeiffer University men's lacrosse team outshot the Yellow Jackets of American International College 37-27 en route to a 17-7 non-conference victory on Wednesday afternoon. With the win, the Falcons rise to 4-0 overall (1-0 in Conference Carolinas play) and mark the teams' best record since the 2003-04 season (6-8 overall). The Yellow Jackets fall in their first game of the season for a 0-1 record overall.

American International got on the board first when Aaron McNab (West Springfield, MA) scored an unassisted goal 4:30 into the game. Junior attack Chad Olsen (Great Mills, MD) notched the first goal for Pfeiffer at 8:05 and was assisted on the play by senior attack Kevin Anderson (Altamonte Springs, FL).

The Yellow Jackets took advantage of a man-up situation when Pfeiffer took an illegal body check penalty near the 14 minute mark when Travis Ortensi (South Hadley, MA) put the ball past Falcon starting goalkeeper junior Jimmy Dyches (Abingdon, MD). The period ended with the score 2-1 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.

Pfeiffer's offense picked up in the second period when the team managed to score eight goals, half of which were scored by Anderson. The Falcons pulled away from American International, who was only able to score two goals in the second period. Ortensi marked his second of the day and James St. Cyr (Utica, NY) chipped in the other. All of the goals were scored at even strength.

The Yellow Jackets remained consistent, scoring two goals again in the third period. Ortensi tallied yet another to give him the hat trick. The Falcons continued their scoring spree with give goals, four of which were scored by junior attack Shawn Cross (Cranberry Township, PA).

Pfeiffer ended the game with three more goals in the fourth period, while American International managed just one more. Cross and Dan Mesler (Penn Yan, NY), who's third goal of the day gave him a hat trick, each scored with the man advantage.

Pfeiffer was led by Anderson who tallied 10 points off of six goals and four assists. Cross marked six goals for six points. Olsen dishes three assists on the day and put one ball past the Yellow Jacket goalkeeper. Dyches made 13 saves in just over 52 minutes of play.

Ortensi led American International with three points from his hat trick. McNab and Dan MacIssac (Port Perry, Ontario) had one goal and one assist apiece. Pfeiffer won the battle of the ground balls 48-35 and won 16 of 26 face offs.

The Falcons return to action on Saturday when they play host to Dominican College. Faceoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

2009-03-11