IRVINE, Calif. - In a ferocious battle between the two top men's lacrosse teams in the Peach Belt RMAC division on Friday afternoon, the Colorado Mesa Mavericks eked out an 8-7 victory over the Concordia Golden Eagles.

Concordia nearly overcame a 6-2 halftime deficit with a spirited comeback in the final two periods.

Chad McFadden found Max Texter for a goal late in the third, but Colorado Mesa still held a 7-3 advantage entering the final period.

But that was when CUI grabbed the momentum. Jeremy Barnes assisted on a goal by Matt Carresi to cut the deficit to 7-4.  Then Barnes scored himself less than 40 seconds later with CUI a man up to make it 7-5. He scored his second goal off a pass by Parker Teel to make it a one-score contest with 8:31 left in regulation. 

Barnes finished with a team-best three points and also two caused turnovers. Texter wound up with three points as well after he handed out his second assist on a late Brody MacDonald goal with under six minutes remaining. That connection made it 8-7 Colorado Mesa.

RMAC Defensive Player of the Week Daniel Yang was also essential to the rally as he made an amazing stop with under 30 seconds to play.  After what appeared to be a glimpse at an open net, CMU's Logan Smith tried to ice the game but Yang sprang in to action to make his 12th save of the night and give possession back to the Green and Gold. That gave the Golden Eagles a chance to call timeout with 20 seconds left on the clock after a successful clear. 

CUI did get one potential game-tying shot off with seven ticks remaining but it missed the cage. When play resumed, CUI could not get another shot off before the final horn and CMU escaped with the 8-7 victory.

This marks the second time in the past three meetings that Concordia has nearly knocked off the Mavericks and Colorado Mesa has won by just one goal.

Faceoff specalist Cade Poe collected 11 of his 18 draws and added a team-high eight ground balls in this one.

Aside from the face off specialists, Colin O'Connor led all the other CUI defenders with a season-high seven ground balls to go with a caused turnover. Edward McCann IV scooped up four more ground balls and Braden Schneider and Ben Gorelick also collected two apiece.

Overall, CUI held a 36-33 edge in ground balls. It was nearly enough to stop Colorado Mesa's impressive home winning streak, which is now at 17 straight victories dating all the way back to the 2021 RMAC Title game.

The Golden Eagles will conclude their Colorado road trip with a Sunday matinee with Adams State. That game begins at 10:00 am PT (11:00 am local MT).

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's lacrosse schedule