MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 27, 2022) - A back-and-forth thriller ended in dramatic fashion as a late goal from Ryan Dancy gave Rhodes a 10-9 win over the visiting Berry Vikings on Sunday at Crain Field. The win moves Rhodes to 2-9 on the year, but has them in first-place in the SAA with a 2-0 record. 

The Lynx jumped out to an early lead when Liam Sullivan found the net in the first minute. Ten minutes of scoreless play followed as both defenses forced each team into tough shots. Christian Cisneros broke the scoreless drought with a laser past the Vikings goalkeeper to make it a 2-0 game. Berry finally found the scoreboard in the final minute on a Michael McKenzie goal to form the 2-1 score at the end of one. 

Freshman Drew Downes continued his strong season with a netter early in the second. After Berry responded with one of their own, the Lynx carded a pair from Ben Jessup (his first of the season) and Jonathon Hazelhurst to claim a 5-2 lead that they would take into the half. 

Berry came out inspired in the third quarter. Both teams took ten shots in the quarter; the difference being Berry converted six of them into goals while Rhodes only managed two. The scoring run gave Berry an 8-7 lead heading into the final frame. 

Staying calm, the Lynx were able to get into their offensive sets and take quality shots. They tied the game at eight off a Cisneros goal that featured a nice pass from Geist Pollock. Four minutes of tough defense ensued as the fans for both teams sensed the tension on the field. Berry jumped ahead at the halfway point of the quarter when Jackson Blaylock bounced one past Brendan Roberts to make it 9-8. Moments later, Geist Pollock took control of the ball behind the Berry net. Going one on one against his defender, Pollock displayed a number of shift moves and ripped a heater past RJ Maraski to knot things up at nine. 

An offsides penalty put Berry man-up with two minutes to go, but the Lynx were able to kill the penalty. Roberts had a key save on a McKenzie strike, giving Rhodes the ball with under a minute to go. Dancy raced down field, found room a few yards out, and launched a missile that found the back of the net to give Rhodes a 10-9 lead. Berry had a decent look on their final possession, with a wide shot and then one on goal, but it was Roberts again with the clutch save to seal the win.

Eight Lynx scored in this one, with Cisneros and Downes leading the way at two each. Roberts was strong between the pipes, recording 19 saves in the win. 

The Lynx have a pair of road games on deck after a week-long break. They will travel to Centre on April 8th, and then play at Sewanee on April 10.