MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Centre men's lacrosse fell by a 9-6 score Friday evening against Berry in the Southern Athletic Association Tournament semifinals, hosted by Rhodes at Crain Field.
 
Handcuffed on offense, the two-seed Colonels (10-5) managed just 17 shots to Berry's 43, and committed 19 turnovers.
 
The three-seed Vikings (9-7) also controlled the faceoff X for much of Friday's first half, helping to avenge a 15-14 overtime loss at Centre during the regular season.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre gained early momentum on John Morrison's goal, but the Vikings would go on to control the rest of the first half.
- Berry scored four unanswered to take a 4-1 halftime lead, winning five of seven faceoffs and commanding 24 ground balls to Centre's six.
- The Colonels never went away throughout the second half, beginning with another Morrison score off an assist from Padraic Dermody.
- Luke Johnson scored with just 3.6 second left on a fastbreak goal near the end of the third period, making it 6-3 heading to the fourth quarter.
- Berry seemingly had an answer every time Centre gained some momentum, however, and held on for the 9-6 win to earn a spot in Sunday's championship.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Along with the shots advantage, the Vikings finished with 36 ground balls to the Colonels' 15, and won 11 of 19 faceoffs.
- Centre missed out on all four of its extra-man opportunities. Berry was 1-for-3.
- Connor Jongewaard, recently named the SAA Defensive Player of the Year, was once again stout in goal, recording 16 saves.
- Morrison and Nic Malubay led the Colonels with two goals apiece, and Dermody totaled two assists.
- Will Morrison paced the team with three caused turnovers, while Jack Shannon had a team-best three ground balls.