High Point MLAX Panthers break through with 13-9 win at Jacksonville

• Senior Michael LeClair led the HPU offense with a season-high five goals, including a hat trick before halftime.
• Freshman Mitchel Snyder registered his first career hat trick with all three goals coming in the final 27 minutes of the contest.
• Sophomore Tim Trounter Jr. racked up 13 saves to anchor the High Point defense in the road victory.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The High Point University men’s lacrosse team finished on a 7-1 run to race past Jacksonville for a 13-9 victory on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Panthers (4-9, 2-4) trailed 8-6 before junior Chris Young and senior Michael LeClair scored in the final two minutes of the third to make it 8-8 as the game headed to the final period.

Senior Sean Harrison, then, scored an EMO goal to give HPU a lead it with 12:48 to play. Just over two minutes later freshman Mitchel Snyder added HPU’s 10th goal, which proved to be the game-winner.

“I was extremely pleased with our overall play today,” head coach Jon Torpey said. “Our entire team stepped up in the second half to win a very tough road conference game. Through this difficult stretch of games our guys never wavered, questioned or lost sight of our goal to get better every day. I am tremendously proud of our guys and the fight and growth they have shown over this season.”

Leading the offense, LeClair poured in five goals on eight shots while picking up five ground balls. The five goals – three of which came before halftime – were the most by a Panther this season.

Similarly, freshman Mitchel Snyder posted the first hat trick of his career on just three shots with all three tallies coming in the second half. Meanwhile, senior Nick Basile netted two first-half goals to keep the Purple & White within striking distance.

As he has all season, sophomore Tim Troutner Jr. proved to be a tough nut to crack in goal stopping 13 of the Dolphins’ 22 shots on goal. The keeper also tallied four ground balls and a caused turnover. Likewise, junior Terrell Sands picked up a team-high six ground balls and tied a career high with three caused turnovers.

In total, the Panthers caused nine turnovers and lost the ground ball battle 34-31 on the afternoon. Despite taking three fewer shots, the HPU offense was able to get two more shots on goal than the Dolphins.

Rounding out the offensive production, junior Connor Robinson registered a goal and two assists while junior Peyton Garrett dished out two helpers. Harrison and Young wrapped up the goal scorers while sophomore Griff Caligiuri and freshman Nate Carter each posted assists.

At the X, sophomore Brandon Savoie (6-17) and freshman Davis Sampere (5-9) combined to win 11-of-26 face-off opportunities.

Another key to the Panthers’ victory was their 3-of-4 performance in extra-man opportunities while the defense killed its only penalty.

The two squads went back and forth in the first half as LeClair (three) and Basile (two) accounted for HPU’s five goals while JU tallied six in the first 30 minutes.

Three times in the third quarter the Dolphins’ lead swelled to two, but each time High Point responded tying the game at 8-all entering the fourth.

Then, the fourth-quarter goals by Harrison and Snyder gave HPU the lead before Robinson, Snyder and LeClair added insurance goals down the stretch.

The Panthers are back at home on Saturday, April 29 at noon to host Air Force. The team will honor its 10 seniors prior to the showdown with the Falcons.