WINGATE, N.C. — Brendan Boschi made the most of his first goal as a Crusader as he delivered the game-winning goal as Belmont Abbey defeated Mars Hill 12-11 Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk Stadium.

The game had been moved to Wingate due to field conditions at Alumni Field.

Boschi capped off a strong day with the winner with 32.5 seconds remaining to go with his three assists on the day. Nate Lorenzo scored four goals while Jack Clough had two as they were part of eight Crusaders who scored goals on the day.

Fynn Ziebarth got the win in goal after making five saves in goal in the second half.

Saturday's contest marked the season opener for both teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a defensive battle early but John Valetto got the scoring started for the Abbey with the opening goal with 4:26 left in the first quarter.
• Mars Hill answered a minute late but Lorenzo got the first of his four goals with on a Boschi assist to make it 2-1.
• After the Lions made it 2-2, Jack Clough and Lorenzo tallied the next two Abbey goals to make it 4-2.
• Mars Hill scored four unanswered goals before Xavier Miller's goal with just over three minutes left made it 6-5.
• Eddie Kielkopf got the start in goal and made eight saves.
• The Lions scored the opening goal of the second half but Lorenzo scored two of the next three goals to give Belmont Abbey an 8-7 lead.
• After Mars Hill regained the lead late in the third quarter, the Crusaders took the lead again in the fourth thanks to goals from Tristan Koumentakos and Jacob Chandler.
• Clough gave the Abbey a two-goal lead before the Lions answered with two and tied it with just over three minutes remaining.
• Boschi delivered the winner in the final minute as the Crusader defense held in the final 10 seconds to secure the victory.
• Belmont Abbey had 32 ground balls led by six from Boschi and five from Jake Tobin.
• Garren Berkman had two caused turnovers and an assist.
• The Crusaders won 14 faceoffs, including 11 from Tobin.
• Belmont Abbey finished with 46 shots, 23 on goal.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to campus to host Catawba at 11 a.m. Saturday back at Alumni Field.
• It is the second of three home games scheduled in February for the Abbey.