PAINESVILLE, OH - The Malone University Men's Lacrosse team squared off against the Lake Erie University Storm for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference match up on Saturday afternoon. The Storm went up early and led wire-to-wire for a 14-10 victory. With the defeat, the Pioneers fell to 5-9 overall and 3-5 in GMAC play.
In their first match up since last year's chippy playoff contest, things got off to a fast start as the Storm scored less than two minutes into the contest. Two more Storm goals stretched their lead before
Zac Smargiasso took a feed from
Luke Ory to capitalize on a man-up opportunity and cut the deficit to a pair. Lake Erie closed out the first quarter with an additional deuce to leave themselves up 5-1.
Ory opened up the second quarter with a ringer as Smargiasso returned the favor. Unfortunately, the Storm continued their onslaught as they took their lead to 7-2.
Ramsey Burnard and
Talon Heath got in on the action to put Malone within striking distance heading into the halftime break.
Following adjustments from Coach
Michael Campbell, the Pioneers appeared poised for a comeback as Ory scored seconds into the half and put the scoring at 7-5 in favor of Lake Erie. The Storm weathered on as a quartet of goals put their lead back to six. While Heath did stop the bleeding, Lake Erie scored again just before the buzzer sounded to end the third.
Ory continued his strong day by netting a pair of ringers as Malone looked to stay in it.
John Mautz III traded goals with the Storm before Ory scored again to bring the deficit back down to three. This would conclude the scoring for Malone who ultimately fell 14-10.
Ory led Malone with five goals and an assist as Smargiasso and Heath secured four points a piece.
Kamden Kraft had a strong day at the midline as he was fourteen for nineteen on face off opportunities, he also secured eleven ground balls.
The Pioneers close out their regular season at home on Wednesday, April 16th at 5:00 p.m. versus the Wheeling University Cardinals. The Pioneers will need a win and some help as they battle for playoff contention.
