Appleton, Wis. - The University of Dubuque men's lacrosse team took on the Lawrence University Vikings Saturday afternoon. In both teams' first conference matchup of the season, the Spartans came out on top with a 10-9 win in a game that had five lead changes. 

The opening three minutes were a back-and-forth battle between the two sides, but it was the Spartans who struck first. Andrew Beaudoin scored the opening goal on the assist from Carter Nelson after he picked him out on a great pass, giving Beaudoin a great angle for the shot. The lead dissipated at the end of the first quarter as the Vikings took a 2-1 lead.

It took all of 33 seconds in the second quarter for the Spartans to equalize the score at 2-2 with a goal from Nelson and assisted by Peter Schiess. Picking up the speed, the Spartans scored with 6:31 on the game clock to regain the lead at 3-2. The goal was scored by Schiess and assisted by Gavin Flattery on a fast break down the field. Unfortunately for UD, the Vikings regained a 4-3 lead at halftime. 

In what has become a habit for the Spartans, they struck first in the third quarter with a solo goal from Nelson, tying the game at 4-4 with 11:51 to play. On a roll, the Spartans took a 5-4 lead when Cambell Smith scored on the pass from Chris Wilson. A goal from the Vikings leveled the score, but not for long, as the Spartans scored two goals in rapid succession. Both goals came from Tait Peters, his first and second collegiate goals. The first of Peter's two goals was assisted by Schiess. Lawrence brought the game within one goal, but quickly had that erased as Connor Lindauer scored his first collegiate goal on an assist from Nelson, restoring a two-goal lead heading into the fourth quarter.

A slow start to the fourth quarter led to a Vikings two-goal run, bringing he score to 8-8. The Spartans responded quickly, with Nelson scoring just over a minute after the scoreline was evened. The goal, which made the score 9-8, was assisted by Eric Brostek. With 8:41 on the clock, Schiess got his second goal of the game to extend the lead to 10-8 on the assist from Nelson. The Vikings scored late, but the defense was too much for them as the Spartans came away with a 10-9 win. 

Owen Lang led the team in ground balls and faceoffs with six and ten, respectively. In goal, Nolan Nagy had 11 saves. The Spartans' leading point scorer was Carter Nelson with six points off three goals and three assists. 

The Spartans improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

Up Next
After a three-game road stretch, the Spartans will return home to face the Albion College Britons. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, at 5:00 p.m. on Oyen Field.