MEMPHIS - The Rhodes College men's lacrosse team earned a program defining win on Easter Sunday as they erased a 7-5 deficit late in the third quarter to come-from-behind and defeat the Berry Vikings, 9-8, in a thrilling contest at Crain Field.

The Lynx held a 39-21 advantage in shots including a 22-14 lead in shots on goal. The Rhodes defense was outstanding, forcing 19 Viking turnovers while Rhodes only gave it away 10 times. Rhodes also held Berry to 13 of 19 in clear attempts and a 29-26 advantage in ground balls.

Rhodes came out of the gate firing, taking a 3-0 lead in the first seven minutes of play. Freshman David Perez got things started with a goal while sophomore Ryan Fennelly and freshman Tyler Milwit followed that up with a goal each for the early lead.

After a goal by Berry, Rhodes took a 4-1 lead going into the end of the quarter as Milwit scored his second goal of the game.

Berry responded with three straight goals in the second quarter to tie the game at four a piece. Fennelly snapped the scoring streak with his second goal of the game, but the Vikings answered with 20 seconds remaining as the teams went into the break deadlocked at five.

The Vikings controlled the third quarter, scoring a pair of goals to lead 7-5, their first lead of the game. However, Rhodes answered the bell in the last three minutes, getting goals from freshman John Tooher and Fennelly to tie the game at seven.

The momentum carried over to the fourth quarter as sophomore Justin Powers put the Lynx ahead 8-7 with a little over 11 minutes to go in the game.

The Lynx used relentless defense to force turnovers while freshman Cameron Link overcame a slow start to come up with big saves all throughout the second half. With under four to go, sophomore John Snyder sent a long, perfect pass from about 40 yards out to Fennelly who was streaking right in front of the net for the finish for his fourth goal of the game and a 9-7 lead.

Berry got one goal back with 54 seconds to go and held for the last possession of the game. The Vikings got a look on the last play of the game, but Link came away with the save to send the team and the crowd into jubilation as the young Lynx program earned their first ever win over Berry.

Fennelly added an assist to go with his four goals and had two ground balls. Milwit added a pair of goals while Tooher, Powers, and Perez each had a goal and an assist. Sophomore Tommy Reingruber had two assists while Snyder and freshman Austin Le each had an assist.

Defensively, freshman Henry Hasbrouck had a huge game, finishing with six caused turnovers and six ground balls. Junior John Wancowicz had two caused turnovers and three ground balls while freshman Matthew Simon had two ground balls.

Rhodes moves to 10-2 on the year and 3-1 in the Southern Athletic Association, currently sitting in a tie for second. The Lynx will return to action on Saturday as they honor four seniors for Senior Day against Millsaps. Faceoff is set for 1 PM.