Cassell

CONWAY, Ark. - Hendrix dropped its Southern Athletic Association (SAA) opener Friday to Berry (Ga.), 12-10, at Young-Wise Memorial Stadium. 

Trailing 12-7 with less than four minutes to play, the Warriors scored three goals in a 1:07 span. Patrick Richard (9), with an assist from Spencer Dorfneilsen, tickled the twine for the second time in the game at the 3:48 mark. Nick Quarles (19) found the back of the net with 2:50 to go. Maximus LaMendola (13) won the ensuring face off and scored his second goal of the day nine seconds later to cut the margin to two. However, Hendrix (4-4, 0-1 SAA) was unable to get any closer, and with 1:24 left was forced to play a man down for one minute because of a penalty, thwarting the comeback.

The Warriors struck first less than a minute into the contest when Richard scored his first goal, but the Vikings responded with six of the next seven and led 7-5 at intermission.

Joey Cuthbert ended with a hat trick and two assists for Berry (6-3, 1-1 SAA). Nick English picked up 16 ground balls and won 19-of-26 face offs.

R.J. Marski (6-3) went the distance between the pipes and recorded 10 saves for the Vikings.

Dorfneilsen finished with a game-high four goals and season-high three assists. Richard and LaMendola each scored twice. Hunter Holden picked up five ground balls. Jake Nelson caused three turnovers.

LaMendola won 2-of-3 face offs.

Reigning SAA Defensive Player of the Week Ian Domeika (4-4) played 60 minutes in net and made 18 stops for the Orange and Black.

Berry committed 21 turnovers compared to just 15 by Hendrix. The Vikings were 17-of-19 on clears, while the Warriors were 22-of-29.

Hendrix continues a three-game homestand in league play March 27 against Oglethorpe (Ga.). Face off is 1 p.m. CT.