SAVANNAH, Ga. – Lander scored nine goals during the first half of play, but it wasn't enough to top the 20th-ranked (USILA) Embry-Riddle Eagles as the Bearcats lost 15-12 at Memorial Stadium Friday afternoon in their second straight neutral-site game.
Lander (4-3) was in control during the first two quarters and enjoyed a five-goal lead at halftime.
Matt Duarte,
Chase Hanson and
Carson Skinner – who had a season-high five points – all provided a pair of goals during the first half.
Luke Aspnes,
Levi Roest and
Josh Rosa scored the other three.
LU was up 4-2 to start the second quarter and soon stretched it to 6-2 over ERAU, who improved its record to 5-2.
The Eagles got within 6-4 before the Bearcats added three unanswered goals over the final seven minutes of the half. Duarte started the run with a man-up goal, which was followed by strikes from Skinner and Rosa.
ERAU found its footing and rattled off six straight goals to grab a 10-9 lead with 1:30 to play in the third. LU had three shots that were saved during the stretch. Duarte snapped the dry spell and made it 10-all with five seconds left in the quarter – and got his hat-trick in doing it.
A brand-new game, Embry-Riddle struck first, 30 seconds into the fourth. Hanson's hat-trick-getting goal tied it again at 11 a minute later.
The Eagles went on a 4-0 run during the next five minutes while Lander went 12 minutes without scoring.
The Bearcats will visit North Greenville next Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m.