Eight-Goal Fourth Quarter Lift Mocs Past Bears

March 18, 2012 - Florida Southern scored eight fourth-quarter goals, while Dan Krispinsky went 15-19 on faceoffs as the Moccasins defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 12-5 Sunday afternoon at Morett Stadium in Hickory, N.C. With the win the Mocs improve to 4-5 and 4-2 in the Deep South Conference, while Lenoir-Rhyne falls to 2-8 overall and 0-4 in conference play.

Lenoir-Rhyne struck first, as Edward Guerin scored an unassisted goal to give the Bears an early 1-0. Dane Sorensen evened the score with an unassisted goal with 56 seconds left in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Moccasins took advantage of a Bears’ penalty, as Shane Tompkins connected with Mat Thompson for a man-up goal. Lenoir-Rhyne responded with a man-up goal of its own to even the score at 2-2. The score remained that way until 25 seconds were left in the half, as Tompkins’ shot hit just inside the top crossbar gave the Mocs a 3-2 lead at the break.

Lenoir-Rhyne came out firing in the second half scoring three unanswered goals to take a 5-3 lead with 3:19 left in the third quarter. Looking for a spark, head coach Marty Ward put Brian Weil at attack, and Weil responded with a goal to cut the deficit to 5-4 after the third period.

The Moccasins completely took over in the fourth quarter, as Ricky DeMicco found Sorensen in traffic for a goal to tie the game 5-5 with 10:34 remaining. Minutes later Weil connected with DeMicco for the go-ahead goal. Forty seconds later Weil found Sorensen cutting towards the cage for his 12th goal of the season. Chris Murphy’s shot to the top of the cage extended the Mocs’ lead to 7-5 with 5:45 left. Sorensen, Kyle Plaugher, DeMicco, and Brendan Mykle-Winkler all scored unassisted goals in the remaining time for the 12-5 final.

The Moccasins outshot the Bears 48-23, while winning the ground ball battle 42-26. The Mocs’ back line of Larry Gress, Trenell Boggans, and DJ Lubs held the Bears’ attack to one goal and one assist, while forcing 18 turnovers. Andrew Almansberger and Jackson Van Yahres combined for eight saves.

Sorensen led the Mocs with four goals, while DeMicco and Weil each tallied three points. Kripinsky led the Mocs with six ground balls.

The Moccasins will travel to Belmont, N.C. to face Belmont Abbey Saturday afternoon. Game time is 2 p.m.