Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Men's Lacrosse team hosted the Belmont Abbey Crusaders tonight in Conference Carolinas play. The Crusaders got off to a fast start, scoring five goals in the first period but the Lions would answer back. A 5-goal fourth period, however, would give the Crusaders an edge and a 15-5 victory. With the loss, the Lions fall to 0-11 overall, 0-3 in conference play. 
 
In the first, the Crusaders got off to a fast start, scoring five goals in the first period to make it 5-0 heading into the 2^nd. 
 
The Lions got on the board early in the 2^nd period with a goal by Ryland Laturell with 11:50 to play in the period to make it 5-1, Belmont Abbey. The Crusaders answered back with a goal to make it 6-1, but Luke Hildebrandt found the net with 5:09 to go in the 2^nd to cut the Crusader lead to 6-2. Belmont Abbey closed out the period with a goal to make it 7-2. 
 
In the 3^rd, the Crusaders started things off with a goal to go up 8-2. Griffin Gibson-Thomas answered back for the Lions with a goal at the 6:46 mark in the 3^rd to make the score 8-3, Crusaders. Belmont Abbey scored the next two goals to take a 10-3 lead, but Jared Weiss closed out the third with a goal with 19 seconds to play to bring the score to 10-4. 
 
The fourth period began with two goals by the Crusaders to boost their lead to 12-4. Gibson – Thomas responded for Emmanuel with a goal at the 6:07 mark to make it 12-5, assisted by Tanner Park. The Crusaders would score the final three goals of the game to make the final score 15-5. 
 
On the night, Griffin Gibson-Thomas led the way with two goals.
 
Up next, the Lions will play at Young Harris on April 3^rd at 4PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.