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The Colorado Mesa University Men's Lacrosse team took on the Lindenwood University Lions on Friday, continuing their second season in NCAA D-II Lacrosse.  It was a close win for the Mavericks as the defense stepped up big when it counted to put the Mavs at 4-2 on the season with a 2-0 record in the WILA games.

The Lions got on the board first with a goal coming at 10:08 in the first quarter.  Their lead wouldn't last long as a goal from Daniel Caddoo tied the score at 1-1 with 4:48 remaining in the first.  The Lions would not go quietly, though, after another goal coming only 22 seconds later put them back up 2-1.  The Mavericks continued to fight thanks to a goal from Kade Robinson coming at 1:12 left in the first to tie the score once again at 2-2.  The action packed first quarter was followed by a slow second quarter as neither team could find the back of the net, leaving the score tied at 2-2 at the break.

The third quarter got off to a fast start as the Lions were able to regain the lead at 12:38 before the Mavericks finally broke their mini-drought with two unanswered goals from James Sharp and Caddoo to put them ahead 4-3 with 9:05 remaining in the third.  The Lions once again showed that they would not give the game away so easily after another goal at 8:03 tied the game at 4-4 which lasted through the end of the quarter.

The fourth quarter is where things got interesting.

Both teams struggled to find the net but not without plentiful opportunities for both sides.  Caddoo was able to put the Mavericks up 5-4 with 11:33 remaining in the fourth but the action was just beginning to heat up.  Both sides had plenty of opportunities to make something happen but nothing would bounce right for either team.  The Mavericks rallied off three straight shots within 10 seconds starting at 6:54, hoping to widen their lead, but nothing would bounce right for them.  Zach Weaver would stop the best, and last, chance for the Lions thanks to a great save coming at 2:39 left in the game and the Mavericks would coast from there, making the score 5-4 final.

Caddoo led the offensive effort thanks to 3 goals on 5 shots with 2 groundballs and Robinson was there to help with 1 goal on 6 shots with 1 assist and 2 groundballs.  Aaron Eggiman also contributed by earning 2 assists.

Danny Duresky was part of the stingy Maverick defense as he finished with 2 caused turnovers and 4 groundballs.  Brad Brandenburg and Weaver split time in the net as Brandenburg made 2 saves in the first half while Weaver earned the decision after he made his only save in the fourth quarter which ended up preserving the lead for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks continue their season on Sunday, March 25, when they take on the visiting Notre Dame de Namur Argonauts at Walker Field.