WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Mercyhurst men's ice hockey team suffered a 5-4 loss to Holy Cross in Atlantic Hockey action on Friday.

Jack Riley, Josh Lammon and Anthony Mastrodicasa recorded two-point nights for the Lakers. Riley and Lammon had one goal and one assist each while Mastrodicasa finished with two assists. Taylor Best and Kyle Dutra also had goals for Mercyhurst.

The visiting Lakers fell behind 3-0 in the first period and never found their way back into a tie.

Holy Cross goals by Tim Driscoll and Scott Pooley were scored 50 seconds apart to give the hosts an early 2-0 lead. Mike Barrett scored the first of his two-power play goals, staking the Crusaders a 3-0 advantage.

Dutra and Riley had second-period goals for Mercyhurst. Dutra received assists from Mastrodicasa and Riley. Riley was then assisted by Lammon and Mychal Monteith before Barrett's next power play score extended the Holy Cross lead to 4-2.

Best pulled the Lakers within 4-3 in the third, getting assists from Mastrodicasa and Matthew Whitaker, but once again, the Crusaders pushed the gap back to two as Ryan Ferrill increased the home team's lead to 5-3.

Lammon had the game's final goal with 1:34 remaining in the third. He scored with MU utilizing an extra attacker. Lester Lancaster assisted on the play.

Mercyhurst goaltender Brandon Wildung finished with 36 saves while Holy Cross goalie Paul Berrafato stopped 20 shots for the win.

Holy Cross outshot Mercyhurst, 41-24. The Crusaders enjoyed a 2-for-3 night on the power play. Mercyhurst was 0 of 2.

The same two teams will meet again on Saturday for a 7 p.m. faceoff.