BELMONT, N.C. -- Brendan Boschi scored four goals and had two assists and Jack Clough totaled four points, leading Belmont Abbey to a 16-6 victory over Barton in Conference Carolinas men's lacrosse action Saturday afternoon. The Crusaders held the Bulldogs scoreless over a span of 22:41 in the second half to pull away.

With the win, The Abbey improves to 9-3 overall and 5-0 in league play, while Barton falls to 4-7, 2-3. The victory clinches keeps the Crusaders in first place in the league standings and clinches a Conference Carolinas Tournament berth.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Boschi led the team in shots on goal with five during his four-goal game. He added three ground balls.
• Clough finished the contest with a goal and three helpers, while Nate Lorenzo, Xavier Miller and Jeremy Mahoney all tallied a pair of goals.
• Jacob Chandler, Connor Mann, Colby Dobbins and Garren Berkman rounded out the scoring.
• Michael Aber won 17 of 20 faceoffs, leading to 12 ground balls. It marked the third time this season that the sophomore has topped double figures in the category.
• The Belmont Abbey defense limited Barton to just 11 shots on goal, with Eddie Kielkopf making five saves.
• The Crusaders scored three goals in the first 5:02 of the contest en route to a 6-2 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to action Wednesday at Emmanuel, then have five days off for Easter break.
• The Crusaders can clinch no worse than a quarterfinal home game with a victory over the Lions.