HICKORY, N.C. – The No. 8 UIndy men's lacrosse team fell to fourth-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday afternoon by a score of 15-13. The Greyhounds clung to a one-goal lead at halftime before the Bears defense locked in over the final 30 minutes.
 
Triston Schaffer found success on the attack, finishing with five goals and one assist, while AJ Preachuk recorded double-digit saves for the third time in the last four games.
 
INS & OUTS
Trailing by four with two minutes left, Mason Rockley and Jason Davide quickly cut the deficit to two in a matter of 21 seconds to put the Hounds within striking distance. Jonah Koehler won his 15th faceoff of the afternoon to earn another UIndy possession, but a shot from Keegan Laughlin was saved by Lenoir-Rhyne keeper Nick Floyd to seal the win for the Bears.
 
UIndy held serve in the opening quarter, with Matt Periera joining Schaffer in the scoring column. The Greyhound defense adjusted well after a high-octane offensive effort from their hosts in the first 15 minutes, blanking the Bears fin the second frame and snatching the advantage at the break.
 
Schaffer scored twice more in the quarter, while Nick Luitwieler put UIndy ahead with just 23 seconds before halftime.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
- Schaffer scored all five of his goals in the first half, assisting on Laughlin's fourth-quarter netter.
- Koehler went 15 for 27 at the faceoff dot, scooping up seven ground balls in the process.
- Caleb Christian and Seamus Faulkner each caused a turnover on Saturday; Lenoir-Rhyne turned possession over on 12 occasions, including six times in the fourth quarter.
- Preachuk added one ground ball in addition to his 10 saves.
- UIndy took advantage of its man-up opportunities, scoring three times in four chances.
 
MORE NOTES
Lenoir-Rhyne now leads the all-time series, 3-1 … current UIndy Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Kim Pate served as Lenoir-Rhyne's Vice President of Athletics for more than eight years before coming to the Circle City.
 
UP NEXT
UIndy returns to Key Stadium next Saturday with a 12 p.m. matchup scheduled with Montevallo. The Falcons are 4-2 in the early going, most recently losing to Belmont Abbey in overtime.