HICKORY, N.C.--The No. 9 Trojans (11-3, 5-3) faced the No. 6 Bears (9-3, 6-2) on the road Saturday evening and came up short, falling 19-14 in the final road game of the regular season.
The offensive momentum bounced back and forth in the opening quarter, with the game level at 3 ten minutes into play. Anderson's goals came from the sticks of Aiden Dixon (Forest Hill, Md.), Brayden Bushnoe (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) and Matthew Rodgers (Carmel, Ind.).
Rodgers went on to boast six total points on the night, combining four goals and two assists for his best statistical performance so far this season. Dixon also recorded a season-best offensive showing, earning his first brace of the year.
The Bears won Q1 6-4, before outscoring the Trojans 7-3 in the second quarter to take a 13-6 advantage into the break.
Radyn Badraun (Mission Viejo, Calif.) and Brodie Deutsch (Wilmington, N.C.) got on the board in the third quarter, but the Bears again won the period, moving into Q4 with an 18-9 lead.
Anderson won the fourth quarter 4-1, but the Bears ultimately took the win.
AU returns home for the regular season finale next Saturday (April 18), hosting Emory & Henry at noon. Senior Day festivities will take place before the game.
