WHITTIER, Calif. - The Southwestern University men's lacrosse team won their third straight game including their fifth of their last six, holding off Eastern Connecticut St. for a 13-12 victory on Tuesday afternoon at Memorial Stadium on the campus of Whittier College.

The Pirates held a narrow 36-35 advantage in shots while Eastern Connecticut St. had a 32-28 advantage in ground balls. The two teams were even in turnovers at 19 as it was a pretty even match-up for the majority of the game.

It was two different stories in the first quarter, as the Warriors jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first seven minutes while Southwestern got goals from freshman Zac Asbury, senior Matt Amerie, and junior Logan Spalding in the final eight minutes as the two teams were even at three going into the second quarter.

It was much of the same in the second, this time the Pirates extending their three consecutive goals to five as junior Kai Knight-Turcan and Asbury made it a 5-3 game. However, this time Eastern Connecticut St. closed the half strong, scoring two straight goals to even the game at five at the break.

Southwestern exploded for five consecutive goals again, this time to start the third quarter as Knight-Turcan opened with back-to-back goals followed by goals by Asbury, Amerie, and sophomore Zach Taylor to take a 10-5 lead. The Warriors scored the final three goals in 1:38 to make it a 10-8 going into the fourth.

Knight-Turcan and Amerie scored back-to-back goals to make it 12-8, but Eastern Connecticut St. scored three straight to cut it to one at 12-11. With 2:00 to play, Knight-Turcan got a huge goal to break the run and move ahead 13-11. The Warriors got one back with 57 seconds to play, but freshman Achilles Armendariz got the huge face-off win as Southwestern was able to run the clock out and earn the win.

Knight-Turcan was outstanding again, going for five goals while Amerie and Asbury each had three goals and two assists. Junior Jared Welsh and freshman Phin Sprague each added a pair of assists. Sophomore Bailey Middleton had three caused turnovers while Armendariz had six ground balls. Sophomore Kyle Kuberski was outstanding in the cage with 16 saves.

Connor Wyllie had three goals and an assist for Eastern Connecticut St while Tyler Koppy had four caused turnovers. Chris Gorman finished with nine saves in goal. 

Southwestern is now 7-5 on the year and is back in action on Thursday as they take on the home team Whitter Poets. The two met on February 25th in Georgetown with the Pirates taking a tough 11-10 win. Face-off is scheduled for 3 PM.