CANTON, OH - The Malone University Men's Lacrosse team welcomed the Northwood University Timberwolves to Pioneer Park on Saturday afternoon for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup. The Pioneers resilient defense kept them in the contest although they ultimately fell 12-8, dropping to 4-5 overall and 3-2 in GMAC play. 

Zac Smargiasso got Malone on the board first as he took a feed from Talon Heath for a 1-0 advantage. The Timberwolves rifled home a trio of goals to take a two goal lead. With time running out, Darek Smith cut it to one to close out the quarter. 

The Pioneers knotted things up to start the second as Smargiasso struck again. Unfortunately, Northwood rattled off five straight goals to take an 8-3 lead. Ramsey Burnard was able to chip away just before halftime, but Malone still found themselves down 8-4. 

The defense tightened up for Malone in the second half as they only allowed four goals the rest of the way despite the Timberwolves dominating possession time. The Pioneers highlighted strong adjustments as they only gave up nineteen shots in the second half after giving up twenty-seven in the first. Luke Ory provided all of the Pioneer offense in the third with a pair of strikes, but he was answered by two Northwood ringers. Heath and Smargiasso each scored in the second half, but they were never able to close the gap and they were defeated via a 12-8 final.

Smargiasso and Heath led Malone with four points a piece. Smith and Ory each had three. Nick Sanderson was dominant in a variety of ways as he forced a pair of turnovers while saving nineteen shots. 

The Pioneers stay at home as they welcome the University of Montevallo for a non-conference matchup on Wednesday, March 26th at 4:00 P.M.