ANDERSON, S.C. -- Anderson's men's lacrosse team returned home on Saturday afternoon to host No. 18 Florida Southern in the first of four-straight games at home. Radyn Badraun (Mission Viejo, Calif.) and Logan Gaddis (Norcross, Ga.) led the offense for the Black and Gold, each recording hat tricks, but ultimately the Trojans fell short, 14-11.
The first quarter proved to be the most detrimental for AU, as Florida Southern jumped off to a 4-0 lead in the first 15. The Trojans bounced back, outscoring the Mocs in the second quarter with goals from Matthew Rodgers (Carmel, Ind.), Max Calabrese (Auburn, Ga.), Chris Czulada (Boynton Beach, Fla.) and Badraun.
Trojan defender Peyton Jefferson (Allen, Texas) opened the second half, finding the back of the net to cut the Mocs' lead to two. Gaddis found his first goal of the afternoon in Q3, followed by an assist to Tristan Kirkham (Langley, B.C.). The Trojans trailed the Mocs 10-7 going into the fourth.
The final 15 saw Badraun and Gaddis each tally two goals, but the AU comeback fell short as Florida Southern matched Anderson scoring to close out the game with a three-goal lead.
The Trojans look to bounce back with the first South Atlantic Conference match-up at Spero Financial field this season. LMU travels to face Anderson this Wednesday (March 13). Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 PM.
