BOX SCORE

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (March 16) - The Saint Vincent men's lacrosse team led at halftime, 5-4, but was unable to hold the lead as it dropped a 9-7 decision at Wittenberg (Ohio).

With the loss, the Bearcats drop their season record to an even 2-2, while the Tigers, a member of the North Coast Athletic Conference, improve to 4-1.

After the Tigers took an early 1-0 lead just 1:28 into the game, SVC scored the next three goals to take a 3-1 lead with 1:50 remaining in the first quarter. Zach Clark opened the Bearcat scoring, with the assist to Alex Walsh, before an Anthony Altieri goal gave the guests the lead, 2-1, at the 2:50 mark. Exactly one minute later, Charlie Russo stretched the SVC lead to two goals off of a pass from Corbin Cole. Wittenberg answered 38 seconds later and SVC held a 3-2 lead after one quarter.

Each team scored two goals in the second period, with SVC recording the first two as Altieri and Clark notched their second goals of the game. Wittenberg added two goals in the final five minutes of the first half to cut the SVC margin to 5-4 after 30 minutes of play.

After 10:45 had elapsed in the third quarter, Nick Pensyl put SVC ahead by two again, 6-4, with an assist credited to Bryce Pasquariello. At the 2:13 mark, Wittenberg scored the final goal of the third quarter, which started a streak of five-straight Tiger goals.

The hosts led 9-6 before Patrick Kenna scored with 2:07 to play to make the final margin 9-7.

Saint Vincent led the game in shots, 36-29, while Wittenberg registered 14 face-off wins of 20 draws.

Clark and Altieri each led the Bearcats with two points (two goals), in total nine different SVC players recorded a point.

Adam Gunter suffered the loss in net despite making 10 saves while playing all 60 minutes.

SVC returns to the field on Wednesday, March 20, with a 4 p.m. home game against Wooster (Ohio).