MARS HILL, N.C. – The Newberry Wolves (10-5, 4-4 SAC) men's lacrosse team got out to a rocky start against a scrappy Mars Hill Lions (3-12, 0-8 SAC) team, but were able to rally for an 18-17 overtime victory, clinching the first 10-win season in program history.
 
The first quarter proved to be a good one for the Lions, who stormed out of the gate looking for their first conference win of the season in what is their final game of the season. The Lions got on the board first and continued to pile on the points, scoring six first quarter goals.
 
Newberry responded with a solid offensive quarter of their own led by Stone Boone's two first quarter goals, ultimately ending the opening period with a 6-4 deficit.
 
The Wolves were able to find their footing defensively after making it through a rocky first quarter, with Eric Szurley and the Wolves back line holding the Lions to just two goals in the second quarter. Newberry's offense was able to capitalize on the strong defensive effort, slotting five second quarter goals to move out in front of the Lions at the half by a score of 9-8.
 
Justin Messersmith got the scoring started in the second quarter, and although the Lions were able to quickly respond, the Wolves continued to push forward and scored four unanswered goals to get out in front.
 
After the halftime break, Mars Hill appeared ready to take things over as they scored the opening two goals of the second half, but Newberry was able to rally by recreating the same 5-2 scoring run in the third quarter as they had in the second thanks to five unanswered goals from five different Wolves players.
 
The Wolves entered the final quarter of play with a healthy 14-10 lead and looking to shut the door on Mars Hill's hopes at a comeback, but it was the Lions who were able to dominate the final 15 minutes of play.
 
Newberry got fourth quarter goals from Dylan Mansur, Cole Bates and Brady Kearnan, but a Lions attack led by Parker Beaudry was able to explode for seven goals to tie things up, including a goal from Beaudry with just 40 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
 
With the momentum in Mars Hill's favor and a sudden victory overtime looming, Newberry had the opportunity for their first 10-win season in front of them.
 
Nearly three minutes passed without the deciding goal being scored, but it was Newberry's Jeremy Ross who was able to break through, finding the back of the net off of a pass from Brady Kearnan to deliver the Wolves the overtime victory.
 
The Wolves outshot the Lions by a margin of 42-39 on the day, as well as posting more saves by a margin of 14-13. The win moves Newberry to 10-5 on the season with a 4-4 mark in SAC play, marking the first 10-win season in the program's young history.
 
Newberry has a quick turnaround before they appear in the South Atlantic Conference tournament, where they will play as the No. 5 seed. They're opening round game will be against the No. 4 seed Lenoir-Rhyne Bears on Tuesday, April 23 in Hickory, N.C., with start time to be announced soon.