ALLENTOWN, Pa. (February 16, 2019) – Junior
John Belanger netted four goals, but the FDU-Florham men's lacrosse team fell to Muhlenberg 14-7 in the season-opener Saturday afternoon.
The host Mules got on the board first, tallying four goals in the opening 10 minutes. During the stretch, Muhlenberg scored three during a 1:08 span midway through the frame. Belanger put the Devils on the board with 3:30 left in the quarter, converting a feed from classmate
John Guido. FDU took advantage of the opening and scored 1:11 later, with rookie
Zane Johnston tallying his first career goal.
Muhlenberg would run off the next five markers bridging the first and second periods before sophomore
Drew Bukowiec recorded a man-up goal. 1:19 later, Belanger punched in his second goal of the afternoon, as the Devils went into the half trailing 9-4.
The Devils opened the third stanza with the man advantage but were unable to convert. The team kept the shots coming but were thwarted by Mules goalkeeper Garrett Pope. Muhlenberg tallied three of final four goals in the quarter, with Belanger netting the lone Devils tally from Guido.
Bukowiec and Belanger each put in unassisted goals in the opening minutes of the fourth and final period to trim the gap down to five at 12-7. The Mules ended the game with two more goals over the remainder 4:07 of the contest, as the visiting Devils were unable to find the back of the net any more.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Rookie defender
MacGyver Hay forced five turnovers and scooped up five ground balls in his collegiate debut. Both numbers were tops on the team.
• Johnston, Belanger and senior
Michael Warg combined for 20 of the teams 33 shot attempts.
• Senior
Michael Adragna caused a pair of turnovers while adding a ground ball for the defense.
• Junior
Adam Reifer made 10 saves in the setback.
• The team went 17-of-20 on clear attempts, going a perfect 5-of-5 in both the first and third quarters.
UP NEXT
The Devils welcome Immaculata to Robert T. Shields Field on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for the home opener. It is the first matchup between the two schools.
