DALLAS, PA (March 17, 2021) -- The host Cougars of Misericordia University came out strong with a 10-1 first quarter, using that to propel them to a 23-6 win Wednesday over the King's College men's lacrosse in action from Mangelsdorf Field in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom opener for both teams. 

The Cougars (3-0, 1-0 MAC Freedom) tallied the game's first 10 goals before Trevor Douenias scored from first-year Ryan Barnes just before the end of the first quarter to stop the MU spurt. King's (0-3, 1-0 MAC Freedom) responded with a strong second quarter, outscoring the Cougars 3-2 in the period started by a goal from first-year Joe Giannella at 10:21. 

After Misericordia tallied Gabe Vansuch netted a score from Barnes, and then Vansuch returned the favor minutes later at 1:45 of the second quarter to make the game 12-4 going into halftime. 

Unfortunately though for King's, Misericordia regrouped at halftime and outscored the Monarchs 11-2 in the second half to pull away for the win. Vansuch and Barnes each finished with three points, as Vansuch tallied two goals and two ground balls in addition to his assist. 

Senior Trevor Douenias picked up six ground balls while going 18-for-31 in face-offs on the day, adding two goals. Senior John Shaffer posted four ground balls and caused one turnover, and first-year Jon Wiedow added two ground balls and a forced mistake. Sophomore Joe Plachcinski finished with 12 saves in the loss for King's in net. 

Patrick Luzzi led all scorers with nine points on four goals and five assists, Carson Venis finished with a game-high five goals and Robert Wagner tallied four goals and an assist. Nick Caprio chalked up five caused turnovers in the victory for MU. 

King's will return to McCarthy Stadium Saturday at 1 p.m., hosting rival Wilkes University in another MAC Freedom match-up.