Third-seeded University of Mount Olive was within a goal heading into the second period, but top-seeded Limestone College pulled away for a 14-5 victory over the Trojans in the Championship Game of the 2015 Conference Carolinas Men's Lacrosse Tournament Sunday at Gaffney, S.C. The runner-up finish was the Trojans' second in a row.
Tyler Feniello, Luke Morris and Matt Shields represented the Trojans on the All-Tournament Team.
Mount Olive (11-5) surrendered the first goal of the game as Chris Clancy from Limestone (16-1) scored with 12:42 remaining in the first period. Down two Mount Olive's Jake Duarte scored back-to-back goals to tie the game with under five minutes left. The Saints snuck one final goal in before the period ended and Limestone led 3-2.
Mike Messenger put the Saints on the board to start the second period and started what became a 5-1 run that stretched the margin out to five headed into half time. Shields broke the scoring trend by Limestone with 3:39 left in the third period. Shields slashed home one more goal to bring the deficit back to five. Vinny Ricci however just barely got a goal in before the horn sounded and Limestone led 11-5.
Limestone held the Trojans scoreless in the fourth and went on their way to claim another Conference Carolinas Championship.
Ross Bowman led the team defensively with five groundballs and snagged 11 saves in goal. Feniello added four groundballs. Duarte finished with two goals and three groundballs.
The Trojans were ranked as high as ninth in Division II and posted wins against two of the nation's best teams in Pfeiffer and Mercyhurst