MARS HILL, N.C. -- Behind Brendan Storrier's (Lafayette, N.Y.) 5 goals and one assist, the Limestone College Saints knocked off No. 8 Mars Hill College, 12-11, in men's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon. James Tuohy made 12 saves to help the Limestone defense hold the Lion attack trio, which averaged 10.2 goals per game, to just 5 goals. The Saints improve to 2-2 overall (1-1 Conference Carolinas), while Mars Hill suffered its first loss of the season, and falls to 5-1 (1-0 Deep South).

Storrier recorded his second 5 goal performance and his highest point total of the season. Mike Poerstel (Annapolis, Md.) continued a strong start to the season, with his third multiple goal game in the midfield.

After falling behind 1-0, Limestone would control the remainder of the first quarter. Storrier knotted the game at one off a feed from Jake Rogalia (Liverpool, N.Y.) and Poerstel scored unassisted. Storrier would expand the lead with his second goal at 5:51 and assisted Teddy Prager (Seaford, N.Y.) at 4:36 to end the scoring in the first.

Mars Hill opened the second quarter with a goal following a Limestone penalty kill, but Storrier answered with his third goal to give the Saints another 3 goal lead. However, the Lions put together a four goal run between the second and third quarters, with goals from Jeff Cizdziel (Stafford, Va.), David Hodgins (Windor, Ontario), Danny Farmer (Calgary, Alberta), and T.J. Cowx (Delta, British Columbia), giving Mars Hill a 6-5 advantage 2 minutes into the second half.

Limestone would answer back with a pair of goals, as Jason Brammall (Greensborough, Australia) and Poerstel each scored un assisted, giving the Saints a 7-6 advantage.

Mars Hill's Brent Hann (Fallston, Md.) tied the game with 8:46 left to go in the third quarter, but another pair of Saints' goals would give Limestone a lead it would not relinquish. Eric Turner scored on a Randy Waugh assist and Brendan Storrier scored his fourth goal off a Sam Buppert feed, making the score 9-7.

The two Southern powers would trade goals for the remainder of the game. Rob Patridge scored his first collegiate goal and Storrier and Turner closed out the scoring for the Saints.

The Mars Hill offense, which averaged 15.2 goals on 43.6 shots was held to just 29 shots and 11 goals by the Limestone defense. The Saints were also able to hold the Lions dynamic extra man unit to one goal on three opportunities.

Limestone will travel to Florida, where they will take on Florida Southern on March 18 at 7:00 p.m. Mars Hill will host Merrimack on Tuesday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m.

2009-03-14