BREVARD, N.C. – The combination of three goals by Jackson McKaig and four saves in net by Xzavier Holmes-Copeland proved to be the difference as Brevard remains unbeaten in five games at Ives-Lemel Field following an 8-5 victory over visiting Piedmont in men's lacrosse action on Tuesday evening.
The triumph over the Lions (4-5) also tied Brevard's program record for most consecutive wins (three) with the 2015 unit, which opened the season with victories against Shorter, Emmanuel and North Greenville. The 2018 edition streak included wins over Methodist (10-6) and Ferrum (11-10) before the three-goal win over Piedmont.
Piedmont put the first goal on the board at the 13:20 mark of the opening quarter when Josh Cobbina sliced through the Tornado defense for an unassisted goal. Sam Duffie answered just over two minutes later with a strike for Brevard (6-2), knotting the game at one-all.
Sean Kennell, following a pass from Chase Goff, forged the Lions back in front at the 6:44 mark of the first on a man-up goal. Kyle Hunziker responded on behalf of the Tornados when he drove a shot past Zach Czulada for the 2-2 tie with 4:03 remaining in the opening frame.
Brevard took its first lead of the game on a goal off the stick of Jack Shade at the 9:40 point of the second. Teammate Hewitt Farr stretched the lead to two, 4-2, with his first of two goals with just over seven minutes left before the intermission.
McKaig provided the Tornados with a 5-2 advantage when he drove home a pass from Hunziker at the 9:16 mark of the third. Piedmont managed to remain close, pulling back within a pair on a goal by Cobbina with three minutes remaining.
Sam Duffie found an open McKaig, who scored the first of three Brevard goals in the final frame, to stretch the lead to 6-3. Goff kept the Lions within striking distance with a goal at the 12:24 mark, but McKaig tallied his third goal of the evening to make for a 7-4 contest.
Jeremy Kohn responded with a Piedmont goal at the 5:38 mark, trimming the Tornado lead to two, but Farr put back a missed attempt by Paxton Brown to Brevard an insurance goal with 5:35 remaining.
The Tornados defense was key to their success throughout the game, limiting Piedmont to 11 shots in each half. Czulada finished with 14 saves for the Lions despite the loss.
Brevard returns to action on Saturday afternoon when the Tornados host William Peace at 1 p.m.
