Belmont, N.C. (Feb. 17, 2018)- The Molloy men's lacrosse team opened the season with a loss to No. 10 Belmont Abbey College, 14-6, at Alumni Field.

Senior Tim Steinman led the maroon and white with four points, scoring two goals and adding two assists on the afternoon. Sophomore Kevin Pastier tallied two goals for Molloy as well.

The home team got on the board early as Liam Osborne found the back of the net in the first minute of the contest. The Abbey responded with two more goals in the first frame to lead 3-0 after 15 minutes of action.
The lead doubled in the third quarter before sophomore Gabe Garcia put Molloy on the board with a goal. Belmont Abbey led 7-1 at the half.

The Lions struck first in the second half, as Pastier netted his first of the game to bring Molloy within five. The Crusaders countered with a goal from Brendan McGovern to make it 8-2 after three quarters of play.

Steinman scored back-to-back markers to kick off the fourth and final frame, cutting the deficit to just four goals. Belmont Abbey tallied three straight goals to take an 11-4 lead before Pastier and sophomore Travis Cooksey each found the back of the net for the Lions. The Abbey closed the contest on a 3-0 run to earn its third win of the season.

Junior Mike Durkin led the defense with six ground balls and two caused turnovers while winning four face-offs. Junior Michael Scheuerer scooped up five ground balls and caused two turnovers. Senior goalkeeper Ryan Toomey made 15 saves for the Lions.

The maroon and white continues the opening road trip on Monday (Feb. 19) with a showdown against No. 3 Lenoir-Rhyne University at 1:00 p.m.