MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's lacrosse team was up for the challenge of opening their North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) schedule with a road game at the 2018 NEAC preseason favorites, Morrisville State.  The Hawks stayed with the Mustangs through three quarters before they fell in a 9-5 loss.

Hilbert, who dropped to 2-3 (0-1 NEAC) limited Morrisville offensively, as the Mustangs were tagged with 18 turnovers while Hilbert was credited with 9 caused turnovers.  Joseph Stevenson posted 10 saves against the 35 shots unleashed by the hosts.

Tyler Balsavage and Chase Harmon kept the Mustangs on balance in the defensive third of the field leading Hilbert with four and two caused turnovers respectively.  Ryan Spath hustled to five ground balls and Balsavage and Harman trailed with three apiece.

James Duffy and Marc O'Neill each collected a pair of goals and Matthew Lee earned his first collegiate marker in the first quarter.

Hilbert matched Morrisville with 23 ground balls, committed fewer turnovers (11-18) and were within three shots (32-35) but won only six of the 18 face-offs today.

James Duffy responded to the Mustangs' early first quarter goal with Hilbert's own man-up goal at 5:26 and forced the only tie score in the game.

Morrisville built a 4-1 lead which stretched into the second quarter before Matthew Lee and Duffy connected on back-to-back scores that pulled Hilbert back within one.  Each team tallied one more goal (Marc O'Neill) before intermission with Hilbert headed to the break trailing by one (5-4).

The Hawks aggressive defensive effort was on full display in the third period as they limited the Mustangs to a solo hit after ten minutes of action setting up a 6-4 score heading to the final quarter.

Morrisville went on a 4-1 run in the fourth quarter.  O'Neill's second score at 6:15 broke-up the hosts run as they improved to 2-7 overall and 1-0 in the league.

Hilbert returns to action this weekend with their rescheduled make-up game against Alfred State College March 31.  The AMCC contest will be played at St. Francis High School with an early morning, 11 am start before the Easter Weekend celebration begin with families.

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