After an extremely strong start to the season, the men’s lacrosse team has fallen in a second contest—this time to Saint Lawrence University. With the second consecutive loss, RPI’s record falls to 9-2 overall, 2-1 in the league while SLU improves to 9-1, 3-0 in the league.
A strong start to the game for the Red Hawks was not enough as they fell victim to the tenth-ranked Saints’ stifling offense in the third quarter on Harkness Field. The Red Hawks maintained the lead in the first half, finishing the first quarter up 3-1, and heading off for half-time with a steady 4-2 lead.
Tacking on an additional goal after the half gave RPI the edge at 5-2. That advantage was not to last as five unanswered goals put the Saints ahead, 7-5. The goals were scored by five different players as the Saints took back control of the game. A sixth unanswered goal early in the final quarter was the game-winner as juniors PJ McComb and Mike Sampson added a goal each before the whistle, leaving the final score at 8-7. The teammates had two goals and an assist each in the loss, and freshman Paul Cerone also scored two goals.
Senior Ryan Michels was tested in net, making 15 saves and taking eight ground balls. In his two games against nationally-ranked opponents last week, the netminder made 21 saves and only allowed 10 goals in 81:25.
RPI hosts Hamilton College at Harkness Field next Saturday at 1 pm.
