GAMBIER, Ohio – The Capital University men's lacrosse team suffered a season-opening loss, dropping a road contest at Kenyon College by a final score of 16-8. 

The loss sets Capital back to 0-1 early on, while Kenyon improved to 2-0 on the young season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets reached halftime trailing 8-3, finding themselves in a hole that proved to be too much to overcome. 

After a pair of Owl goals to get the scoring started, Capital's first tally of the season came on a man-up opportunity as Mason Spaulding cashed in off an assist from Jake Belt. The man-up goal was Spaulding's eighth man-up goal of his career. 

Kenyon then scored the game's next four goals before Spaulding would get his second of the game – this time on an unassisted strike.

Capital then fell behind 7-2 before sophomore midfielder Jacob Poole dispatched his first goal of the season on a feed from freshman Charlie Howenstine. The helper was the first assist and point of Howenstine's career. Kenyon nabbed another goal with 35 seconds left in the second quarter to send the teams to the locker room at 8-3 in favor of the hosts. 

Out of the halftime break, Capital scored the first goal, thanks to Spaulding's third of the game. The goal came on another unassisted effort. 

Despite the early Comet pressure, Kenyon rattled off four straight goals to open up the game 11-5. 

That goal was met with a response from senior Nathan Montgomery's first goal of the season. 

In the fourth quarter, Brenden Pelton, Max Schillig and Dylan Commella all found nylon, the the goals proved to be too much for the Comets in the end. 

THE NUMBERS
Mason Spaulding led Cap with three goals – the 10th time he has scored three or more goals in a collegiate game. 

Jake Belt led the team with two assists – both of which came on a man-up opportunity. 

Three players picked up three ground balls each to lead the team – Nathan Montgomery, Dylan Comella, and Ian Michaud. 

Defensively, Capital forced six turnovers and were led by freshman Gino Nave and junior Drew Bolen who each caused two. Ethan Adkins and Dom Rocco were the other responsible players for causing turnovers. 

Sam McInturf made 15 saves in the cage. 

The goal from Max Schillig was his first as a Comet after he transferred to Capital this past offseason. 

THE OPPONENT
Goals - David Chintala (4)
Assists - Jack Giuffre (3)
Ground Balls - Thomas Nelson (16)
Caused Turnovers - Finn Murray (2)
Saves - Adam Hall (14)

UP NEXT
Capital will stay on the road and play another NCAC opponent this coming Wednesday as they visit Wooster. The faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 1st.