Erie, Pa. - (3/16/2019) – Sophomore attack J.R. Howell (East Meadow, N.Y.) totaled seven points and freshman goalkeeper Austin Jones (Courtice, Ontario) made 20 saves in a tremendous effort for Chestnut Hill College, who owned a 13-9 lead over #13 Mercyhurst University heading to the fourth quarter of today's contest. Unfortunately, the Lakers scored six straight goals to lead off the final frame; it was a goal too many as the home side endured a late goal from senior midfielder John Bennett (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) to retire with a 15-14 victory. Junior attack Scott Wilden (Wexford, Pa.) and Howell connected for the first goal of the contest, 1-0 (12:43), and sophomore attack Carson Rees (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) added the second just seconds later, 2-0 (12:32). Mercyhurst University (3-2) managed a reply at 11:52, 2-1, but it was just an interruption as Chestnut Hill College (3-3) scored twice more (11:07, 6:59) before a late Laker score (0:17) left the Griffins up two goals at the first quarter break, 4-2. Mercyhurst University cut the Scarlet and Gold lead in half with the first tally of the second quarter, 4-3 (14:37), but a Bennett man-up goal (5-3, 12:04) sparked a 4-0 Chestnut Hill College run that pushed the Griffins out to an 8-3 (6:06) edge midway through the frame. Unfortunately, a 3-0 Laker run reduced the spread to two goals, 8-6 (0:47), just seconds before halftime. But in those closing seconds, a solo effort from Howell gave the Griffins a three-goal lead, 9-6, at intermission. After the break, a back-and-forth third quarter left Chestnut Hill College with a slightly larger 13-9 advantage. That is when Mercyhurst University hit their groove, scoring six goals during the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter, 15-13 (6:55). Bennett's tally came with 32 seconds (0:32) remaining – on the third of three assists from sophomore Carson Rees (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) – but it was too little too late as the Lakers survived for the 15-14 win. Sophomore attack Devin Pipher (Oshawa, Ontario) led the Lakers with four goals, an assist, and a ground ball. Three others recorded multiple goals. Sophomore attack Caleb Kueber (Victoria, British Columbia) and sophomore midfielder Nathan Grenon (Stittsville, Ontario) were two of them; the former recorded three goals, an assist, and two ground balls, while the latter offered two goals, two assists, and a ground ball. Freshman Ryan Jobson (Orchard Park, N.Y.) won 15-of-26 (.577) face offs and recovered a ground ball, while senior goalkeeper Hunter Emerson (North East, Pa.) (3-2) totaled six saves and a ground ball. Howell's performance was his second straight with more than five points. He also recovered a pair of ground balls. Rees finished with a goal, three assists, a ground ball, and a caused turnover, while Bennett totaled two goals, four ground balls, and two caused turnovers. Senior attack Casey Brown (Havre de Grace, Md.) scored three goals and grabbed a ground ball. The other three Griffin goals were scored by Wilden, sophomore midfielder Ben Revak (Aston, Pa.), and senior midfielder Nick Webber (Westwood, Mass.). Sophomore Stephen Lopuzzo (Ringoes, N.J.) won 12-of-32 (.375) face offs and collected five ground balls. Jones (3-3) made 13 saves in the first half. His 20 saves were the most by a Griffin goalkeeper since Dakota Maurer '13 totaled 21 in a 13-3 loss to #8 Mercy College on March 5, 2011. He added four ground balls and a caused turnover for good measure. Chestnut Hill College continues a strong schedule on Tuesday, March 26, when they host Mercy College in a 12:30 p.m. contest.