The Belmont Abbey men's lacrosse team fell at ninth-ranked Queens University of Charlotte 12-10 this afternoon at Queens Sports Complex. The Royals extend their win streak to five while taking sole possession of first place in the Conference Carolinas with a 2-0 (5-1 overall) record. Belmont Abbey's 1-1 (2-4 overall) record drops them to fourth in the conference.

The Crusaders got off to a quick start, gaining a 3-1 advantage after a pair of goals from Dan Morrissey. The Royals would battle back to tie the game three apiece at the 1:34 mark. With one minute remaining in the quarter, an illegal body check called against Matthew Dolan set the stage for Morrissey to strike again and take a 4-3 lead into the second quarter.

Queens owned the first 13 minutes of the second quarter, scoring five consecutive goals. Corey Geroy knotted three goals and an assist in the quarter, with Brendan Hennessy and Brian Masterson adding goals to put the Royals up 8-4. A one-minute major for illegal equipment against Geroy opened the door for a stream of Crusaders scores. With a one-man advantage, Dave DiLuigi scored the first of three unanswered goals to end the half. Tanner Scharr and Morrissey would add the supplemental goals to close in on the Royals and take an 8-7 deficit in to the break.

The teams alternated goals in the third quarter. Down 10-8, the Crusaders brought the Royals back within one after an offside penalty against Travis Speer made room for Scharr to sneak in his second goal of the game with just five seconds remaining in the quarter.

Jimmy Baker scored his first collegiate goal, and eventual game-winner, just 10 seconds into the quarter. With 2:17 remaining, Masterson would add some insurance, tallying his third goal of the day.

The Royals played a loose game, committing 24 turnovers opposed to 13 for the Crusaders. Ten of the Royals turnovers came in the fourth quarter, leading to being outshot 18-five in the final stanza and 43-36 overall.

The Crusaders converted on three-of-six opportunities with the extra-man advantage, while the Royals failed to capitalize on any of their four.

Joe Taylor won 15 faceoffs to give the Royals a 16-nine advantage in the circle. Finishing the day winning 16-of-25, Queens improves its faceoff average to .554 on the year.

Brandon Macknew saved 18-of-28 shots faced en route to the win.