LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Adams State Men's Lacrosse ended its three-game road trip on a high note with a 12-4 win Thursday afternoon at saint Mary. The win improves the Grizzlies record to 2-4.
 
The first period completely belonged to the Grizzlies as they held the Spires (2-5) scoreless with relentless defense. They also found their groove on the offensive side of the ball with three goals scored to lead 3-0 going into the second period.
 
Scoring the game's first goal for Adam State was Riley Morrison. He found the back of the net 54 seconds into the start of the game to give Adams State the lead, which they never relinquished. Kyle Butler made it a 2-0 lead with a goal late at the 4:46 mark of the first period.
 
With the defense clicking early on, the Grizzlies made sure the Spires did not find the back of the net at all during the first period. They extended their lead to 3-0 with 1:36 left on the clock when Kale Wilson hit a bullet of shot for the goal. Jacob Austin got the assist to give the Grizzlies all the momentum.
 
Despite the Grizzlies surge, the Spires did not go away as they scored a goal early in the second frame to cut the score to 3-1. The home team's first goal did not matter as the Grizzlies got the goal back on a score from Austin on the assist from Morrison with 11 minutes left in the second period.
 
The Grizzlies pushed their lead to four, 5-1, with another goal. This time it came at the 6:02 mark from Morrison yet again and Adams State maintained its position in the driver seat. The strong start on defense helped the Grizzlies maintain their four-goal lead going into the halftime break.
 
A 17-11 overall shots edge and 12-11 shots on goal helped the Grizzlies lead by four. Helping their offense find rhythm early was a 19-20 setup on clear attempts. The Spires did however win the turnover battle, 12-15, to stay within striking distance.
 
Defense remained the theme for both squads to start the third period as just one goal was scored the whole frame. The Spires scored the lone goal at the 6:58 mark of the frame to cut their deficit to three, 5-3. Both squads got decent looks in the third but never established much offensive control.
 
The Spires cut the Grizzlies lead to just two goals early on in the fourth period. They added their third goal of the game with 14:01 to play in regulation and it was just a 5-3 lead for the Grizzlies. Moments later the Grizzlies responded with a goal from Kage Janes to make it a 6-3 game.
 
Adams State pushed its lead back to four with another goal at the 11:44 mark of the frame. Austin's second goal of the contest helped the visitors lead grow to 7-3. It became an 8-3 lead with Emmit MacFralane finding the back of the net scored at the 11:29 mark and Saint Mary never recovered from it.
 
A goal at the 10:14 mark gave the Grizzlies their largest lead of six. Nick Selfridge hit the goal to make sure the Grizzlies ended any chance of a comeback for the Spires. A security goal at the 6:45 mark from Chase Rodine extended their highest lead to seven, 10-3.
 
The Grizzlies offensive onslaught did not end as Rodine nailed a goal at the 5:53 mark of the fourth to push the lead 11-3. Their final goal once again came from Rodine as he scored with 4:54 to play in regulation to make it a 12-3 contest.
 
The final goal for the Spires came with 4:44 to play in the game but it was already too late as the Grizzlies late game surge ultimately made the difference to secure the road win.
 
Three Grizzlies finished with three points for the game. Rodine led the way with three goals scored on four shot attempts. Morrison and Austin tallied their three points on a pair of goals and an assist, respectively. MacFarlane chipped in two with a goal and an assist. In net, Connor Johnson notched 14 saves to secure his second win of the year.
 
Tyler French led the Saint Mary offense with three points on a goal and two assists. He was the only played with multiple points for the game. Goalkeeper Zander Smith tallied 16 saves in the loss.
 
The Grizzlies will return home next weekend for their final non-conference game of the regular season. They will host the Acronauts of Notre Dame de Namur. Game time is set for 3 p.m. at the ASU Lacrosse Field.