Lexington, Va. – Despite a career-high four goals from Jeremi Phoenix-Lefebvre and a late offensive push, the Mercyhurst Lakers Men's Lacrosse team came up short in an 18-12 loss to the VMI Keydets on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers move to 1-7 on the season, while VMI improves to 7-2 overall. 

How It Happened 

Mercyhurst came out strong, jumping to a 4-3 lead after the first quarter behind a first-period hat trick from Phoenix-Lefebvre and a late strike from Antonio Rossetti. The teams continued to trade punches in the second, with Ryan Mahoney, Rossetti, and Chase Petschke each adding goals. However, a flurry of VMI scoring before halftime gave the Keydets a 9-8 lead at the break. 

In the third quarter, Petschke's second goal brought the Lakers even at 9-9, but VMI responded with a 3-0 run to pull away. Mercyhurst trimmed the deficit to 13-11 early in the fourth on goals from Rossetti and Phoenix-Lefebvre, but VMI closed the game on a 5-1 run to seal the victory. 

Laker Leaders 

• Jeremi Phoenix-Lefebvre: 4 goals 

• Antonio Rossetti: 3 goals, 2 assists 

• Ryan Mahoney: 2 goals, 1 assist 

• Chase Petschke: 2 goals 

• Ethan Landymore: 1 goal, 1 assist 

• Tyler Moritzen: 17 saves in net 

Team Stats 

• Shots on Goal: VMI 35, Mercyhurst 26 

• Ground Balls: VMI 42, Mercyhurst 25 

• Faceoffs Won: VMI 22-of-34, Mercyhurst 12-of-34 

• Clears: Mercyhurst 21-for-22, VMI 18-for-20 

• Extra-Man Opportunities: Mercyhurst 1-for-2, VMI 2-for-7 

Up Next 

The Lakers will be on the road again next weekend when they travel to Robert Morris.  The Lakers will be looking to snap their current skid and build momentum heading into the second half of the season.