WILSON, N.C. -- Christian Tomei made a career-high 21 saves and Nate Lorenzo tallied five goals, leading Belmont Abbey to an 11-6 victory over Barton in Conference Carolinas men's lacrosse action on Saturday.

With the victory, the Crusaders improve to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in league play. The Bulldogs fall to 1-7, 0-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lorenzo led the team in shots with nine and shots on goal with six.
• Mikey Sweigart, who missed the last two games with an injury, returned to score twice, while Jack Clough, Jacob Chandler, Jeremy Mahoney and Tomei found the net once.
• Mahoney dished out three assists for a total of four points, while Quinn Smith and Garrett Clare each added two assists.
• Michael Dixon gained a team-high seven ground balls, winning nine of his 13 faceoffs.
• Barton outshot the Crusaders 39-33 overall and 27-19 on goals, but The Abbey held a 24-16 advantage on ground balls.
• Belmont Abbey opened a decisive first quarter just 1:14 into the game when Chandler converted from the right wing. The shot started a barrage of five goals in the period, including two by Lorezno and capped by a rare goalie score by Tomei.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey opens a two-game homestand when it hosts Young Harris on March 25.
• The 10-day span was created when Shorter unexpectedly ended its season last month, canceling a game next Saturday.