Wingate, N.C.—The No. 4 Mercyhurst Men's Lacrosse team showed they deserve to be in the national conversation as they hung tough against No. 2 Wingate in a 16-12 loss on the road to open the season.

The Lakers struck first after Shawn Doran won the opening faceoff and the Laker attack produced a goal from Jacob Emerson at 12:36. Wingate countered with a goal of their own before Mercyhurst received goals from Nicholas Mabe, Bryce Johnson and Myles Hamm.

The Lakers finished the first quarter up 4-2, but Wingate picked up the pace in the second quarter, outscoring the Lakers 8-3 to take a 10-7 lead into halftime.

Emerson again started the scoring in the second half with an assist from Ethan Landymore at 13:37. Landymore then scored one of his own at 7:52 to make it 12-9 before the teams exchanged goals. Hamm netted his third goal of the game at 1:50 in the third.

Hamm made it four in the fourth quarter as the Lakers were outscored 3-2 and could not overcome the first-half deficit.

The two teams' offenses rivaled each other throughout the game, nearly matching their shot totals, but the Lakers had 16 turnovers to Wingate's five. The Lakers also failed to capitalize on their four extra-man opportunities in the game.

Up Next

The Lakers will welcome No. 18 Lewis University to Saxon Stadium as they play on their home turf for the first time this season Saturday at noon.