Belmont Abbey senior attackman Jedd Gardner scored four goals and senior attackman Michael Brown dished out five assists as the Crusaders men's lacrosse team upended Wingate University 17-7 this afternoon at Marion Diehl Park in Charlotte. The Abbey evens its record at 2-2, while the Bulldogs drop to 1-5.

Leading 3-0 after the opening period, the Abbey exploded for ten goals in the second half, three by Gardner and two by Brown, as it opened up a 13-4 halftime advantage. It would outscore Wingate 4-3 in the second half, with all four goals coming in the final period.

The Abbey outshot the Bulldogs 67-28 as Gardner finished with four goals on eight shots, while scooping up four ground balls and causing one turnover. Brown finished with three goals and a game-high five assists, while collecting four ground balls. Austin Whitesell, Matt Spivey and Brian Watson all finished with two goals, while Dave DiLuigi, Tristan Keas, Miles Elliott and Mike Pease all had one. Gardner, Whitesell, Ben Kennedy and Terrance Sullivan all had one each.

Defensively, the Abbey caused ten turnovers as Tom Ottman and Joey Peruzzi both led the way with four. Watson posted eight face off wins and a team-high seven ground balls as the Crusaders won that battle 40-30. Goalkeeper Tony Kikola made ten saves before giving way to Merrick Reiland, who posted a pair of saves in the final 6:17.

Wingate was led by Ryan Otterblad's game-high five goals, while Greg Williams and Talmadge Farringer both had one. Mark Hodson had two assists, while Chris Johns, Derek Malone and Billy Mutton all had one.