Men's lacrosse enters Atlantic Sun Conference play with a 4-4 overall record this Saturday against Queens University in Charlotte, N.C. following a balanced non-conference schedule that included three early wins and four losses against higher-level competition. The Bears are 3-1 at home and 1-3 on the road so far this season, and their most recent game, on March 14, was a hard-fought 12-11 victory over St. John’s University.
Mercer defeated Queens 12-1 in last season’s meeting.
Under fourth-year head coach Ryan Danehy, Mercer opened the season with wins over Hampton University, Marist University and Virginia Military Institute before dropping four consecutive games. Their first loss of the season came against No. 6 University of Richmond, falling 15-5 in Richmond, Va. The Bears’ four non-conference wins marks an improvement from the 2025 season, when they finished 1-7 outside league play.
Through eight games, Mercer has averaged 11.38 goals per game this season, good for fourth of six teams in the ASUN. The offense is led by midfielder Dillon Bush ‘27, who is fourth in the ASUN with 20 goals and is second on the team in total points with 23.
Michael Frederick ‘26 leads the team with 24 points while Will Zylstra ‘28 has added 22 points. The Bears overall have recorded 50 unassisted goals and three man-up goals on 19 opportunities.
The Bears are prolific shooters, averaging the second-most shots per game and the third-most shots on goal per game, but have struggled to find the back of the net recently. After getting off to a hot start with 47 total goals in their first three games, the Orange and Black cooled down and scored just 19 in their next three matchups against Richmond University, Army and Drexel University.
Despite the efforts of keeper Jacob Neuman '29, the Bears have struggled defensively and allowed nearly 14 points per game to opponents this season, including 21 points to Marquette University on March 7.
Following the conference opener, Mercer will host Utah University and Bellarmine University before traveling to face Air Force. The Bears will close the regular season at home against Jacksonville University. Mercer lost each of those matchups during the 2025 season.
Kaylee Grace Buchanan '29 is double majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology with an minor in Religion. When not writing, she enjoys reading, baking and playing tennis. You can also catch her on the pickleball courts jamming out to some music as well.
