Slow start plagues Huntingdon men

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant 

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Huntingdon men's lacrosse team allowed 10 goals in the first half as Methodist University took a 15-9 win in a Southeast Independent Lacrosse Championship matchup on Saturday afternoon.

The Monarchs (10-2, 2-0 SEILC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes of play. Kendrick Ballard scored three straight goals in a 1:23 span to put the Hawks (8-7, 1-1 SEILC) ahead with 6:17 remaining in the first quarter.

Ballard, who scored a career-high five goals, leads the Hawks with 33 points this season off 31 goals and two assists.

Methodist responded with four goals to close out the opening frame and take a 6-3 lead into the second quarter.

A Jackson Schrampfer goal to start the second quarter cut the lead to two scores, but Methodist responded before Ballard scored a man-up goal with an assist from Karson Hastings to keep the Hawks within striking distance. Methodist would score three more goals to close out the half and pull ahead 10-5.

Huntingdon outscored the Monarchs 3-2 in the third quarter with goals from Mac Puller, Ballard and Austen Saucier. The Hawks would go into the fourth quarter trailing 12-8.

Brandon Scheele would score for the Hawks to open the fourth, but Methodist put the game away with three goals in the final 4:20.

Schrampfer finished with one goal and one assist while Puller, Saucier and Scheele each had one goal.

Sam Hitt won 13-of-26 faceoffs and scooped up eight ground balls. Matt Murphy had 12 saves in the loss.

Zach Barnhill, Caleb Bohrer and Hastings finished with one assist.

The Hawks close out their home schedule on Saturday against Piedmont for Senior Day. Faceoff is set for 3 p.m. at Samford Stadium.

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