CHARLOTTE, N.C. (February 24, 2007) —The Queens University of Charlotte men's lacrosse team traveled down the road to face Carolinas-Virginias Athletic Conference rival Belmont Abbey. The Royals cruised to an 18-8 win behind senior Alex Tack's six goals and three assists. Both teams came into this early conference match up 0-1 with both teams coming off close losses to #5 nationally ranked C.W. Post.

The Royals, ninth in D-II and the pre-season number one pick in the CVAC found themselves down after six minutes of play as Belmont Abbey's Ryan Matthis put the Crusaders on top with his unassisted goal. Queens waited three more minutes before scoring when Andy Cappallo broke the ice for the Royals with his goal off a feed from Corey Thomas to tie it up. The Crusaders would answer back just 45 seconds later on another goal by Matthis.

This would prove to be the last lead of the day for Belmont Abbey. Alex Tack scored his first goal of the day 38 seconds later then scored again just five seconds later off a feed from DJ Crump to put the Royals ahead and they never looked back. They scored three more before the quarter was over to take the lead at the end of the first 5-2.

In the second half, the Royals continued to get some outstanding play in goal from sophomore Tyler Rauch, who was getting his gettting his first college start, as he continued to turn back any rally Belmont tried. Queens continued to do their part on the offensive end by adding seven more goals to take the lead at halftime 12-3 as the Crusaders only managed one goal against the Royals stingy defense. Queens opened the scoring with another goal by Tack his fourth on the day at that point.

The Royals used the third quarter to build on their lead but some sloppy play put the Royals in the penalty box five times and prevented Queens from really capitalizing. They ended the quarter adding four more while the Crusaders added three.

In the fourth, Queens played everybody and Belmont Abbey won the quarter 3-2 but The Royals still came out on top 18-8. Tyler Rauch had 18 saves for Queens in his debut and Alex Tack led all scorers with nine points. Queens is now 1-1 and 1-0 in the CVAC.

2007-02-25