MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's lacrosse team earned their Southern Conference victory on the season, topping the VMI Keydets, 15-7, Saturday afternoon at Five Star Stadium. How It Happened After nearly nine minutes of scoreless action, VMI struck first as John Daniel scored with 6:24 remaining in the first period of play. Mikey Ewing found Matt Quinn moments later to even the odds. VMI would regain the lead as Jon Fant netted an unassisted goal with 3:08 remaining. Once again the Bears would answer with Jake Priester scoring his first goal of the season. The squads entered the first intermission tied at 2-2. Pascal Coombs scored back to back goals to open the second period, giving the Bears a 4-2 lead. VMI would respond with two straight goals of their own, tying the game once more. With five minutes remaining in the half, Hank Morgan scored an impressive 60 yard goal to give Mercer a 5-4 advantage heading into the break. Mercer dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Keydets 5-2. Matt Quinn added two goals to top off a hat-trick. Nick Rockefeller, Matt Hughes and Nate Patterson also found the back of the net. Mercer entered the fourth quarter holding a 10-6 lead. The Bears wouldn't take their foot off the gas, outscoring VMI over the fourth period, 5-1. Ryan Arthur and Jake Saad would score their first goals of the season, as well as another from Matt Quinn and Scott Baird's 17th on the season. Pascal Coombs completed his fifth hat-trick on the season, scoring with 2:01 left in the game. Mercer's defense would hold strong as the Bears prevailed, 15-7. With the win, Mercer improves to 4-7, while VMI falls to 2-7. Notables » Mercer tallied a season-high 40 shots on the afternoon. » The Bears forced the Keydets' keeper to produce 13 saves. » Goalkeeper Bradley Hodoval tallied 12 saves on the day. » Attacker Pascal Coombs recorded his fifth hat-trick on the season. » Matt Quinn led the squad with four goals and two assists. » The Bears' Michael O'Brien scooped a team-high four ground balls. » Mercer was 17 for 20 on clears throughout the game. Records Update Mercer: 4-7, 2-2 SoCon VMI: 2-7, 0-4 SoCon Next Game The Bears will face the Bellarmine Knights next Saturday, April 14 in Louisville, Ky. Play is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.