DANVILLE, Ky.- The Colonels hosted Pfeiffer University for the first round of the 2023 NCAA DIII Men's Lacrosse Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. Earlier this season the Colonels suffered a one-point loss to Falcons, and after a fourth quarter scoring-run, Centre men's lacrosse claimed redemption. With a final score of 11-9, the Gold & White will advance to Virginia for the second round of the national tournament. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS
-The game's opening quarter proved to be a defensive battle. By it's end, Pfeiffer had managed three goals while the Colonels tallied two, both coming from freshman. Nick Witcher, in his first collegiate start, claimed the first followed by a point from SAA's Newcomer of the Year, Ryan Black.
- Similar to the first period, both teams answered one another's goals, the Falcons landing the first. Paxton Brown connected with Max Speers for Centre's first, while Mick Ginnity set-up Ridr Knowlton for the second. Black netted Centre's last goal of the half with the assist, once again, coming from Ginnity. Entering the break, the score read Pfeiffer 7, Centre 5. 
- Paxton Brown initiated the second half with an unassisted goal four minutes in, the Falcons responded in the next possession. Nate Malubay joined Centre's scoring column with the help from Speers but once again, Pfeiffer answered. Christian Underhill placed the last goal of the period, moving the score to 9-8 entering the final quarter. 
- Intercepting a clear from the Falcon's goalie, Underhill opened the period by returning it to the cage, tying the game at even nines. The game's momentum changed when the Colonels opened the first scoring-run of the game. Ginnity teamed up with Knowlton for the next goal, handing the lead to the Colonels for the first time in the game. Speers owned the last goal and froze the final score at Centre 11, Pfeiffer 9. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 
- The Colonels had a wide spread of athletes in the scoring column. Underhill, Knowlton, Black, and Speers owned two goals each while Malubay and Witcher claimed one apiece.
- Ginnity was the game's leading assister with three. He added two ground balls and a caused turnover.
- Mozingo nearly doubled all other athletes in ground balls with nine. 
- On defense, Graham Robbins collected a season high of four caused turnovers.
- In the crease, Sammy Zickel stuffed 11 shots and assisted the team to a perfect 17-17 clears.
- The Colonels outshot their opponents 47-35. In ground balls, Centre collected 40, Pfeiffer grabbed 29. 

NEXT UP
The Centre men's lacrosse team will travel to Virginia for round two to 2023 DIII NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Tournament. They'll face-off against the Generals of Washington & Lee University on Saturday, May 13, at 12:00 p.m. ET.