ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Capital University men's lacrosse team (5-9, 3-5 OAC) faced off their Mount Union ( 11-4, 5-3 OAC) on the road on Friday afternoon. Despite, keeping it close throughout, the Comets would come up short in the back-and-forth affair, falling 21-18.

The Purple and White would utilize a run of three-straight to take an early lead in the first quarter. Tyler Lieu got Cap's day going with a quick FOGO goal in response to the game-opener from the other side. That was followed by scores from Charlie Howenstine and Max Schillig to make it 3-1 in less than a minute-and-a-half. Howenstine would add another later in the quarter, joined by Mason Miller, and Anthony Carusone to make it 6-5 after 15 minutes of play.

The Purple Raiders would respond with a 7-5 quarter in the second to take a 12-11 lead into the halftime break. This time, it was Colton Woods and Mason Spaulding scoring two each alongside another from Howenstine to make up the five for Capital. CU then surged back ahead with a 6-4 third quarter to retake the lead at 17-16. Evan Legner led the charge with two goals, joined by one each from Miller, Spaulding, Carusone, and Howenstine.

Unfortunately, the tide would turn again in the fourth quarter as the Purple and White were outscored 5-1 to end the game at 21-18 in favor of the hosts. Legner was credited for the lone goal in the fourth.

THE NUMBERS
Mason Spaulding led the offense with four points on three goals and one assist, as well as having three ground balls and one caused turnover.

Charlie Howenstine and Evan Legner both had hat tricks alongside one ground ball each with Legner also adding a caused turnover.

Mason Miller and Anthony Carusone both put up three points on two goals and one assist. Miller added a ground ball while Carusone added a caused turnover.

Max Schillig and Colton Woods both scored twice. Schillig grabbed a ground ball as well.

On the faceoff, Freddy Noday and Tyler Lieu went a combined 21-for-40. Noday was 16-for-27 with 13 ground balls and one assist. Lieu went 5-for-13 with a goal and a ground ball.

Jacob Poole put up two points on assists as well as four ground balls and one caused turnover.

Kaison Durham and Eric Patterson each dished out one assist and grabbed three ground balls. Patterson also added a caused turnover.

Defensively, CU was led by Jackson Gantz (2 CT), Gino Nave (1 CT, 4 GB), Ian Zaletel (1 CT, 2 GB), Devin Flynn (1 CT, 2 GB), and Dylan Christopherson (1 GB).

Luc Kadlic (3-4) got the start and played the full 60 minutes in the cage for the Comets, making eight saves with three ground balls.

UP NEXT
The Comets will wrap up the regular season at home on Wednesday, hosting Muskingum at 7:00 p.m.