BANNER ELK, N.C. – The Lander men's lacrosse team erased a six-goal deficit by scoring 11 goals in the second half to defeat Lees-McRae, 15-12, on Saturday afternoon.

Lander (3-1) trailed 4-3 after the first quarter as an 8-0 run from the Bobcats (0-5) put Lees-McRae up 9-4 at the half. However, the Bearcats stormed out of the gate in the second half, scoring four times in the opening 2:50 of the third quarter. Nolan Oakey led the comeback with four goals in the period, his fourth tying the game at 11-11 with 1:47 to go in the quarter. 

The Bearcats took their first lead of the second half when Oakey netted his fifth goal with 14:12 to play. Lander's defense shut out Lees-McRae in the fourth until the final 10 seconds, when a Bobcat goal made the score 15-12. 

Oakey's five goals led all scorers, while Carson Theriault and Drew Wilson each dished two assists in the victory. Jake Watson led the Bearcats with 11 ground balls as Lander held a 49-31 advantage in that department. Lander also outshot Lees-McRae 47-34 and dominated face offs, winning 23 of 31 opportunities.

The Bearcats return home on Tuesday to host Alderson Broaddus at 2:00 p.m.
 

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