Marquette Tops HPU Men’s Lacrosse

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men’s lacrosse team took a 14-6 loss to Marquette on Saturday at Vert Stadium. Redshirt-freshman Mitchell Dupere tallied three points on two goals and one assist for the Panthers.

“I am disappointed in the effort and focus from today,” said head coach Jon Torpey. “We had a really good week of practice so it is especially frustrating. Until today we had played hard and fought in every game.”

Sophomore Matt Thistle also had three points in the game, with one goal and two assists. Thistle also picked up three ground balls. Freshman Michael Messenger scored two goals and had three caused turnovers. Redshirt-freshman Sam Johnston had one assist and three ground balls.

Tyler Melnyk scored three goals and notched two assists for the Golden Eagles and Connor Gately added four goals. JJ Sagl made 16 saves for the win.

The loss drops High Point to 3-10 this season while Marquette moves to 3-6.

Marquette scored the first two goals of the game. Messenger put HPU on the board with 42 seconds remaining in the first period. He grabbed a pass from Dupere, made one move and scored to make it a 2-1 game.

Thistle and Dupere each scored in the second quarter, answering everytime Marquette scored to keep the Golden Eagles within reach, 5-3 at halftime.

Dupere scored with an assist from freshman Christian Beith to open the third quarter and close Marquette’s lead to one, 5-4. The Golden Eagles scored the next three goals, to open up a lead they never relinquished. Redshirt-freshman Brendan Montrello ended the run with a goal assisted by freshman Dan Lomas with 5:31 to play in the third.

Marquette went on a six-goal run to open up a 14-5 lead with 7:38 remaining in the game. Messenger scored the final goal of the contest to make the final score 14-6.

High Point went 12-for-22 on faceoff attempts with nine wins by sophomore Chris Davila. The Panthers were 11-for-18 on clear attempts while Marquette went 18-for-22.

High Point will finish the season with two road games, beginning April 19 at No. 6 North Carolina. The game will faceoff at 7 p.m.