The men’s lacrosse team fell short to the University of Detroit Mercy on Saturday, losing the conference battle 9-8 on Kessler Field.
MU surrendered a four-goal lead heading into the second half, while Detroit scored five in the fourth quarter. Five different hawks scored in this contest, but it wasn’t enough to win the game.
“We came out to a strong start but Detroit was able to respond and beat us in the second half,” MU junior midfielder and captain Eric Berger said. “We will focus on us and the little things to prepare for our next two conference games.”
It was a tough loss for the Hawks, who currently sit at 2-2 in the MAAC and 6-5 overall. MU has their first winning record in program history since it started in 2014.
Junior Midfielder Dylan Schulte began the game by driving down the right alley and scoring a right-handed goal in the middle of the first quarter to put MU ahead 1-0. This would prove to be the only goal by either team in the opening quarter.
Early in the second quarter, junior attackers Dan Bloodgood and Eamon Campbell each added a goal as MU extended their lead to 3-0. Freshman attacker Eamon Campbell then scored a man-up goal on man up to put the score at 4-0 halfway through the second quarter. However, Detroit answered with two goals to cut the MU lead down to two heading into the half.
Campbell scored his second goal of the game roughly five minutes into the third quarter to place the Hawks in front by three. However, a pair goals from Detroit would make the score 5-4.
With the game tied 6-6 in beginning of the fourth quarter, Detroit’s Kyle Beauregard scored a goal to give them the one-point lead. Detroit didn’t hold the lead for long, however, Daly scored to tie the game again with seven minutes left in the contest.
Detroit then answered with two goals by Andy Hebden and Austin Polson, respectively. This would put them ahead 9-7, which is all the insurance they would need to finish the contest. MU came back with Campbell’s third goal of the day with five seconds remaining on the clock. However, this wouldn’t be enough to secure the Hawks a victory, the final score staying at 9-8.
“Today was a tough loss, but we will come back better and smarter,” senior attacker John Castellano said.
The Hawks currently sit in third place of the MAAC conference behind Quinnipiac and Marist with two games remaining on the schedule.
MU will host the undefeated Bobcats team on Saturday, Apr. 23 at 1 p.m. It will be senior day for MU’s lone senior, Castellano, and will be broadcasted live on ESPN3.
“I’m excited for senior day but the focus will really be on the game and putting myself in the best position to help our team come out successful especially after losing today,” Castellano said.
PHOTO COURTESY of Taylor Jackson
