HICKORY, NC – All eyes were on the No. 8/9 University of Indianapolis men's lacrosse team this weekend as the Hounds battled No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne in the lone Top 10 match up of opening weekend. The Bears threatened late, tying the game with just under six minutes remaining but UIndy responded with a pair of goals in the closing minutes to walk away with the 12-11 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first goal of the new season belonged to Ben Foster as he notched a man up goal on the assist from Drew Billig at the 6:18 mark. Billig and Foster both netted unassisted goals in the first to give UIndy a 3-0 lead after one.
Both team scored three goals in the second as the Hounds took a 6-3 lead to halftime. Billig connected with Foster with less than a minute remaining to complete the first half hat trick for Foster.
The Hounds wasted no time getting on the board in the second half as Billig netted his second of the game just 57 seconds into the fresh half. Billig, Owain Braddock, Parker Johnson and Brian Robb each recorded a goal in the third quarter to give the Hounds a 10-5 lead.
Lenoir-Rhyne opened the final frame with four straight goals including three in less than a four minute span. With 5:38 remaining, the Bears evened the score at 10. However the Hounds responded with goals from Robb and Foster to stretch the lead to 12-10 with 1:09 remaining.
The Bears didn't go down without a fight, finding the net with 1:00 left to make it a one-goal game. Caleb Parker won the ensuing faceoff, allowing the Hounds to run out the clock and steal a road win to open the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- UIndy improves to 5-2 all-time in their season opener.
- Billig paced the Hounds with six points on two goals and four assists while Foster finished with five on four goals and one assist.
- Parker won 12 faceoffs while grabbing six ground balls.
- Dougie Crawford led the defense with three caused turnovers.
- Austin Barnett picked up the win with 11 saves.
UP NEXT
UIndy's first three games of the season are on the road. Next they'll head to Painesville, OH on Sunday to take on Lake Erie College at 3 pm ET.
