FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. -- The Emmanuel Lions (1-0) scored three unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to pace a 10-7 victory and spoil the debut of the Lincoln Memorial men's lacrosse program (0-1) in a nonconference match on Saturday afternoon in Franklin Springs, Ga. Dylan Neisler (Detroit, Mich.) and Justin Stewart (Copiague, N.Y.) tallied two goals apiece to lead the Railsplitters in the program's inaugural game.
 
After an early goal by Emmanuel, the Railsplitters got on the board less than four minutes into the first period on an unassisted score by junior Ronny Paulino (Copiague, N.Y.). That would be Lincoln Memorial's only offense in the first stanza, though, as the Lions assumed a 3-1 edge at the end of the first 15 minutes thanks to goals by Hevin Jackson and Darian Richardson.
 
The Railsplitters cut into the Lions' lead at the 11:51 mark of the second period, as a quick clearance led to Justin Stewart's first goal of the afternoon. Emmanuel reasserted a two-goal edge with another score at the 4:18 mark, taking a 4-2 lead into the half.
 
Lincoln Memorial showed a rejuvenated attack early in the second half, scoring three straight goals in a five-minute stretch to assume a 5-4 edge. Billy Kopsky (Smithtown, N.Y.) made it a 4-3 game with a goal at the 12:09 mark, while Neisler scored his first goal of the afternoon at 10:36 to tie it up. Just 15 seconds later, Stewart staked the Railsplitters to a one-goal lead by scoring off of a pass from Tylor Justin (Buffalo, N.Y.).
 
The Lions would own the remainder of the match, though, scoring six of the game's last eight goals to race away with the victory. Emmanuel scored three unanswered goals before the conclusion of the third stanza, taking a 7-5 advantage into the final period.
 
Stewart found Neisler for a goal three minutes into the fourth quarter to pull the Railsplitters to within one, but Emmanuel scored three straight goals again to put the game out of reach. Darian Richardson, who led all players with three goals, tallied the final goal of that spurt with 7:35 left in regulation.
 
The Railsplitters got one goal back at the 4:36 mark on a shot by Jared Courchene (Sagkeeng, Manitoba), but that would be their final score of the contest.
 
Lincoln Memorial makes its home debut on Saturday, February 14, premiering at the LMU Lacrosse Complex with a nonconference tilt against the Lees-McRae Bobcats. That match is slated to get underway at 1 p.m. in Harrogate, Tenn.