SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Palm Beach Atlantic Men's Lacrosse team opened the 2025 season on the road in a neutral match-up against Lander University. This was the first meeting between the two schools in program history, seeing the Sailfish come out victorious 19-15. PBA holds a 1-0 record on the season with the neutral-site win, taking down a No. 20-ranked Lander team.

The Sailfish and Bearcats were aggressive from the start, seeing Lander net the first goal in less than three minutes of play. Dallas Pulliam helped spark the Sailfish's offensive momentum by winning the faceoff. Austin Airey saw a shot that missed just high before freshman Cooper Laughlin netted the 'Fish's first goal of the season and evened the playing field, 1-1.

PBA continued its offensive streak off a turnover from Lander, seeing Keegan Southard with the second goal, assisted by Cooper Porter. In the eighth minute, Zion Lee netted a goal to boost the 'Fish to a 3-1 lead. Lander quickly worked from behind, cutting the deficit to 3-3. With an even playing field, a turnover from Lander led Porter to net his first goal of the day, assisted by Lee, to recapture the lead. The 'Fish closed the first quarter by taking advantage of a man-up situation, seeing a goal from Curtis Goddard, assisted by Laughlin.

PBA carried its offensive momentum into the second quarter, once again seeing Goddard taking advantage of a man-up situation for a 6-3 lead for the 'Fish. In the eighth minute, Southard netted his second goal of the afternoon for a 7-4 Sailfish advantage. To close the second quarter, PBA's Lee scored the eighth goal of the match, assisted by Southard, off a turnover from Lander. In the final thirty seconds of the quarter, Laughlin netted his second goal off the assist from Lee to send PBA into the half with a 9-5.

To open the second half of play, Lander struck quickly on offense; however, Porter quickly retaliated with his second goal of the day, increasing PBA's lead to 10-6. In the third minute, Pulliam won the faceoff and netted his first goal of the day to continue increasing the 'Fish lead. Lander quickly retaliated with two goals of their own, but a pair of goals from Goddard and a lone goal from Jack Jeffcoat closed the third quarter with the Sailfish holding a 14-10 lead.

In the final quarter of play, Lander looked to cut the deficit and came within three, 14-11. In the first minute, Southard and Dominic Barnshaw both netted a goal to continue raising the Sailfish lead. In another man-up situation, Patrick Law took advantage and elevated PBA to a 17-11 lead. Lander landed a trio of goals before PBA retaliated with another goal from Barnshaw. In the final minute of play, Goddard netted his fifth goal of the day to secure the Sailfish 19-15 victory over the Bearcats.

Palm Beach Atlantic will hold its home opener against Embry-Riddle University inside the PBA Lacrosse Field on Friday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. (EST).