ERIE, Pa. — The Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team fell to Bellarmine, 17-9 Saturday at the Rissell-Schreyer Dome at Thiel College. Mason Blakeman scored three goals for the Lakers and picked up two groundballs.
 
The first quarter began with the Lakers controlling the initial faceoff, as Brice Beetow secured the ground ball. Despite early pressure and multiple attempts on goal, the Lakers couldn't capitalize, with Nolan Hudnut making key saves for Bellarmine.
 
Bellarmine opened the scoring at 7:21 with a goal by John Alie, assisted by Ty Washington, followed by a quick second goal by Ian Kohut at 6:40. Leo Prosser extended Bellarmine's lead to 3-0 at 2:27. Mercyhurst responded with a man-up goal from Blakeman, assisted by Darrin Santos, just 30 seconds before the quarter ended, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
 
In the second quarter, Bellarmine capitalized on a man-up situation early with Luke Healy scoring at 14:01. Joe Alie extended the lead with a goal at 11:26, assisted by Ezra Moore, during another extra-man opportunity.
 
Blakeman responded for the Green and Blue at 6:13, assisted by Chase Petschke, narrowing the gap. Bellarmine's Alie scored again at 5:11, but Petschke quickly answered with a goal at 4:49. Tanner Harrison added another for the Lakers at 2:10, assisted by Santos, before Robert Madden closed the quarter with a goal at 00:12, assisted by Petschke. The Lakers took the momentum going into the halftime break down just one goal, 6-5.
 
Bellarmine took control early in the third quarter with a goal by Alie at 14:21, assisted by Washington, quickly followed by another goal from Moore at 14:07, assisted by Alie.
 
Bellarmine's momentum continued with Michael Blaymires scoring at 13:03, assisted by Moore. Mercyhurst responded with a goal by Blakeman at 12:01, but Bellarmine's offense proved relentless as Alie scored again at 8:51. Despite a goal from the Lakers' Liam Manion, assisted by Josh Mills at 1:54, Bellarmine extended their lead further with additional goals, ending the quarter ahead 13-7.
 
Bellarmine took control early in the fourth quarter with Blaymires scoring at 14:27, assisted by Washington, extending their lead. Mercyhurst responded with a goal from Dan Buckley at 11:31, assisted by Petschke, narrowing the margin.
 
Bellarmine's Moore and Jack Fischel added two more goals, Fischel's coming at 3:07 with an assist from Alie, maintaining Bellarmine's advantage. Alie sealed the quarter with a goal at 00:29, concluding the game with Bellarmine ahead 17-9.
 
The Lakers are back in action next weekend at home, hosting UMass Lowell.