GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—The Westminster men's lacrosse team defeated Colorado Mesa (CMU), 14-10, and will host the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Championship in May.
 
Westminster only trailed once during the game.  After giving up the opening goal to CMU, the Griffins went on a 6-1 to finish the first period and four-point lead, 6-2.  Blake Gross was involved with three goals and Kolton Atkinson and Blake Gross had a hand in two more.
 
Atkinson completed a hat-trick with the team's only second period goal, assisted by Nick Marcy.  The Mavericks scored three to pull within two at half, 7-5.
 
Westminster scored three more goals in the third period and increased its lead by one, 10-7.  Atkinson scored his fourth of the game, Jacob Taylor scored during a man-up opportunity and Lane Gladden scored while a man-down.
 
Atkinson added two more goals to his total in the final period and Marcy scored his first of the game while a man-up.  Westminster's final goal While a man-down, goalie Sean Edwards took advantage of an open goal, while a man-down, to score his first goal of the season and the team's final goal of the game.
 
"Every game with CMU is a hard-fought contest," Head Coach Mason Goodhand said.  "We weathered their runs and stayed focused on the plays left to be played instead of the ones already in the books."
 
"Sean was very solid in the net and was excellent under pressure in the clear.  The nail in the coffin was the open goal score Sean hit from 60 yds away when they went back to the 10-man ride late in the game."
 
"The unsung hero had to be Kyle Williams and his relentless effort all over the field."
 
Kyle Williams went 9-23 on faceoffs and led the team, along with Marcy, with four ground balls. 
 
Atkinson led the team on points with six.  He took 11 shots with eight on goal.  Nick Marcy recorded 5 points with one goal and four assists.  He was 3-3 for shots on goal.  Gross scored a pair of goals and assisted two for four points.
 
Harrison Nye and Grant Phillips picked up three ground balls and led the defense with three caused turnovers each.
 
Sean Edwards picked up three ground balls.  He faced 47 shots and 10 saves.
 
The Griffins will finish the season on the road next weekend at Colorado State University-Pueblo, Friday, April 26, and Adams State, Sunday, April 28.  A win in either game and the Griffins will host the RMAC Championship on May 3 and 4.