The Mavericks are off to their best start in program history improving to 7-0 with a 14-10 win over Rockhurst University (RU).
Freshman attackman Jed Brummett led the Mavericks in scoring with six goals. Brummett scored in many ways with multiple goals coming off quick sticks and step-down shots. Brummett found soft spots in the defense and with his quick release he was able to get his shots off in some tight spaces.
Freshman faceoff man Cole Emmanuel went 14-24 at the x beating the Hawks faceoff men to the clamp time and time again. Emmanuel scored one goal within six seconds of winning the faceoff as the Hawks defense didn’t slide from the attackmen and Emmanuel put one over Patrick Fitzsimmons head with 53 seconds left in the third quarter.
“I think I definitely brought more energy at the beginning, as the game progressed, you could tell that they were veterans. They knew what to do in certain situations, and I kind of had to adapt to that,” Emmanuel said. “When we came out in the third quarter, I think I started strong and started to get used to them. I think I just worked harder for longer and they got a little complacent.”
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) jumped out to a quick lead with Brummett scoring off an assist from graduate transfer James Booth 33 seconds into the game. Brummett scored three goals in the first quarter coming off assists from three different players.
The second quarter saw a three-goal run by each team with RU taking their first lead of the game going up 6-5. Brummett and freshman midfielder/attackman AJ Switzer scored within the final 31 seconds of the first half giving the Mavericks an 8-6 lead.
Redshirt senior goaltender Remi Reeves had five of his eleven saves coming up with big saves on shots from the doorstep and step-down shots. Reeves got in rhythm with a big save in the first quarter and he was seeing the ball very well the entire game.
Reeves and the Mavericks cleared the ball well going 24 of 26 in the game.
“At the end of the day, I think that he’s in a sense a backbone to our team, in so many ways. He makes the stops, he’s an emotional leader, he pumps energy into what we’re doing,” CMU Head Coach Vince Smith said. “Overall, I think Remi is a really big part of what we do and without him, we would struggle.”
CMU took control of the game in the third quarter as they outscored the Hawks 5-1. The Mavericks assisted three of their five goals in the third with senior midfielder/attackman Joe Wulforst IV picking up two of them.
Freshman midfielder Drew Eickleman absorbed a hit from Drake O’Neill right in front of the Mavericks bench with 10 minutes left in the third quarter. Eickleman spun off the hit and O’Neill’s momentum carried him into CMU Head Coach Vince Smith with them both falling to the ground.
Freshman midfielder Kegan Hufford jumped on O’Neill in his coach’s defense resulting in both teams sharing some words and the game was played with more intensity for the final 25 minutes.
“I think we kind of allowed the game to get too chippy and focused a little bit too much on what is my opponent doing versus what am I doing. Unfortunate, that it kind of got chippy, but that’s what you’re going to expect when you have two teams playing for playoff lacrosse type atmosphere,” Smith said.
The Hawks scored three goals in the fourth quarter trying to get back in the game, but redshirt freshman Braden Plock’s goal with 5:16 left in the game put the nail in the coffin.
RU was led in scoring by Sam Lindahl with five goals. Lindahl scored one goal running down the left alley in his natural left hand and shot underhand putting the ball in the top right corner within 10 yards.
The Mavericks start their spring break trip in Florida Saturday, Mar. 14 at noon against Lynn University.
