Midnight Lax: No. 1 BYU Holds Off No. 3 Liberty’s Rampant Comeback Attempt

Hosting the 10th annual “Midnight Mayhem” game, the No. 3 Liberty men’s lacrosse lost 12-11 to the No. 1 BYU Cougars April 8, coming one goal shy of a spectacular comeback.

Head Coach Kyle McQuillan started the “Midnight Mayhem” tradition in 2012. Held at the Liberty Lacrosse Fields, the event has become a Liberty favorite with students and College For A Weekend (CFAW) visitors. 

“People are always surprised that we’re playing a game at midnight,” McQuillan said. “It piques curiosity. That’s kind of what the idea was 10 years ago.”

The electric game between top-ranked MCLA teams held a deeper purpose for the Liberty lacrosse club. Throughout the season, the team has honored its close ties with the Ukraine Lacrosse Federation by holding a moment of silence before each game to pray for the war-torn nation. 

“The best thing we can do is create some visibility,” Assistant Coach Mike Zumpano said. “The game will have a big draw in attendance with it being CFAW weekend, and with it being broadcasted nationally.”

The black-out uniforms worn by the Flames sported a Ukraine lacrosse patch and are being sold online where fans can submit a bid or buy the uniforms by April 15. All proceeds raised from the uniforms will go directly to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) lacrosse ministry in Ukraine.

After honoring Ukraine in their last home game, the Flames won the first possession of the game and controlled the ball until sophomore midfielder Keaton Mohs scored on a cross-handed goal to give the Flames their only lead of the game.

“We need to set the tone and maintain the tone. Lacrosse is a game of momentum swings,” McQuillan said. “We have to fight to get it back in our favor.”

Trading several physical penalties, the Cougars capitalized on quick transitions to take a 2-1 lead and shift the momentum of the quarter. After two more BYU goals, senior attackman Cooper Branham spun past his defender and buried his shot to cut the Cougars lead to 5-2.

Firing into the second quarter, senior midfielder Cameron Carter exploded across the middle of the field and pulled the Flames within two goals. The two teams exchanged long possessions, and the Cougars attackman Seth Garff broke the silence with his third goal of the game. 

The Flames rallied back from a break in transition with another left-handed, sweeping shot from Carter, keeping the Cougars 8-4 lead within reach. With only five seconds left, the Cougars extended their lead to 9-4 while the Flames looked to reset coming into the second half.

Exiting the locker room, the Flames methodically worked the ball to their playmakers, Cooper Branham and Carter Elliot, who each elevated their shots into the top of the goal. Senior goalie Ryan Reynolds shifted the defensive momentum with an impressive save to keep the Cougars at a 9-6 lead, bringing the late-night fans back into the game. 

“There’s really nothing like it,” Reynolds said. “Having all those fans there is just something special. It builds camaraderie among the guys.”

After the Cougars extended their lead to 11-6, the Flames attacked harder with Mohs and Elliot both scoring their second goals of the game to close out the third quarter.

The teams traded goals to start the final quarter, and senior attackman Thomas Pinel added another doorstep finish to cut the Cougars lead to 12-10. The Flames dominated on face-offs in the fourth quarter, which shifted the momentum their way.

“We play face-offs as a full team unit,” Assistant Coach Jessi Glauser said. “Every extra possession matters, especially when we play top teams.”

Pulling the Flames within one goal, Branham drained his third goal of the game between the goalie’s legs. With missed shots plaguing them all night, the Flames were unable to capitalize on several offensive possessions, and the Cougars survived the comeback attempt winning 12-11.

Closing out their home games for the season, the Flames will travel to Virginia Tech April 15 to take on the No. 5 Hokies in another top-ranked matchup.

SHEALY is a sports reporter. Follow him on Twitter