MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo men's lacrosse team beat the Mars Hill University Lions 24-18 for their first win of the season.

The Falcons set a program record in goals scored with 24. 

Sophomore Thomas Vaesen scored a career-high and program record 11 goals and totaled three assists in the win.

Vaesen became tied for second all-time in NCAA Divison II in goals in single game with 11, and became third all-time in points with 14.

Sophomore Kordell Primus scored a career-high five goals to go along with three assists. 

Freshman Dante Cloutier scored three goals, including his first career-goal. 

Sophomore Ryan Shea scored two goals, including his first of the season. 

Freshmen Luke Stephens, Jackson Neufeld, and Connor Frederick, each scored one goal. Frederick recorded one assist as well.

Stephens won 31-of-41 face-offs and recorded 21 ground balls, tying the record for face-offs won and face-offs taken in NCAA Division II all-time. Stephens also became tied for third all-time in ground balls with 21. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Little totaled six saves in the win.

KEY GOALS

1^st, 10:32 | After falling behind 2-0 early, freshman Connor Frederick scored unassisted to give Montevallo their first goal of the game.

1st, 8:59 | Freshman Dante Cloutier tied the game up 2-2 for the Falcons, scoring unassisted. 

1st, 7:04 | Montevallo took their first lead of the game when sophomore Thomas Vaesen scored his first goal of the game, unassisted.

1^st, 1:27 | Vaesen gave Montevallo a three goal lead, 7-4, after scoring off an assist from sophomore Kordell Primus. 

2^nd, 13:17 | Freshman Luke Stephens found the back of the net, unassisted, after winning the face-off to give Montevallo a three goal lead 8-5.

2nd, 3:49 | Coultier scored off an assist from Vaesen to extend the lead back to three for the Falcons 12-9.

3rd, 9:52 | After going to halftime with the lead 12-10, the Falcons came out of the locker room and poured five straight goals on the Lions to lead 17-10, after Vaesen scored unassisted, for his eighth goal of the game. 

4^th, 2:01 | After Mars Hill cut the Falcons lead to just two, 20-18, Montevallo went on a four goal scoring run to end the game, capped by a goal from Vaesen, his eleventh of the game, extending the lead 24-18. 

GAME NOTES

• Montevallo out shot Mars Hill 62-45 in the contest, including a 38-24 edge in shots on goal.
• The Falcons forced 25 turnovers by the Lions and recorded 52 ground balls.
• Montevallo converted 1-of-6 extra-man opportunities, while Mars Hill finished 4-of-8 in man-up situations.
• The Falcons won the face-off battle 32-13 in the match.

UP NEXT

The Falcons will  travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 14, to face the Embry-Riddle University Eagles.