HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Colorado Mesa men's lacrosse scored early and built up a lead that would not be relinquished on their way to an 9-8 win over Alabama Huntsville to close out their road trip.

As a team the Mavericks took over sixty shots, but the Charger defense put up a tough barrier to get through making 21 saves to the Mavs 13. Each team had 21 face-offs, but the Mavs held a 27-22 advantage in ground balls.

Carson Schwark led the team's scoring with four goals, along with a pair of assists for six points in the win. James Steinke and Trent Pernell added two more goals apiece, and Sergio Pelayo got in scoring as well. Alex Blatt assisted on a team high four goals, and caused a turnover.

Nolan Hoffman earned the win at goal, racking up 13 saves on the day. 

Pernell got the Mavs on the board first connecting with Schwark around the 12-minute mark in the opening quarter. Nearly thirty seconds later, Alabama Huntsvilles Preston Deno evened things up. Schwark would be behind the scoring the second time around, and then picked up his second assist finding Stienke for a last second goal and the 3-1 lead after one.

The Chargers Luke Levetter scored his eighth and ninth goal of the season, to tie it up at three.

Schwark put in goals two and three in the second quarter, helping his team stay in front. Three different Mavs then put in goals in the third quarter as they led 9-6 heading into the final quarter.

After scoring three times in the first, second and third quarters, the Mavs offense quieted in the fourth and relied on the defense to hold off the Chargers from making a comeback. UAH, Kyle Light would score with three minutes left to play but would be the final goal of the game, as the Mavericks held off the Chargers, 9-8.

The team will return to Colorado and prepare for a midweek matchup at Colorado College on Mar. 30.