LIVONIA, Mich. - The Madonna University men's lacrosse team hosted their home opener against No. 9 Saint Ambrose Bees. The Crusaders would come out with a big 13-8 victory to improve their record to 4-2. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Crusaders looked to have a huge comeback game after their tough loss to No. 4 Cumberlands last week and would certainly do so in an impressive fashion. The first quarter was back and forth between the Crusaders and Bees after the Crusaders would get goals from Zachary Lane and Reid Dunavant the Bees would answer with two goals of their own tying it up at 2-2 after one. In the second quarter the Crusaders would take over and not look back as they would score five unanswered goals starting with Nick Bryden who would pick up back to back goals followed by Dunavant who would secure a hat trick with back to back goals of his own, followed by Lane who would pick up his second goal of the day to make it a 7-2 game. The Bees would answer with three goals of their own which would then lead to a last second goal from Bryden to secure his hat trick and also give the Crusaders a 8-5 lead heading into halftime.

In the second half again it would be all Crusaders not only on the offensive end but on the defensive end as well, holding the Bees to only three goals the entire second half. Shane Alexander and Dylan Hicks would find the back of the net to start the third period followed by another Dunavant goal to give him his fourth goal of the day. In the fourth quarter Joey Van Goethem would pick up his fourth goal of the year followed by a game topping goal from Hicks which was his second of the day with 1:29 left in the game. From there the Crusaders were able to hold on to the ball for the rest of regulation to take home a 13-8 victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Jeff Varner would finish with 18 saves on the day. 
• Lane finished with two goals and two assists.
• Hicks finished with two goals and three assists.
• Braeden McCullough finished with seven caused turnovers and five ground ball

UP NEXT:

Madonna will be back in action Saturday, March 23rd as they travel to Upland, Indiana where they will take on Taylor University. The game is set to start at 1:00 PM.

CONNECT WITH THE CRUSADERS: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
SUBSCRIBE/DOWNLOAD TEAM SCHEDULES: Download Center
DOWNLOAD THE NEW MOBILE APP: Google Play | iOS