EASTON, Pa. – The Lafayette men's lacrosse team hung with No. 11/12 Loyola through most of the Patriot League opener on Saturday afternoon at Fisher Stadium, but the Greyhounds proved too tough in the end, sending the Leopards to their fifth loss of the season, 14-4.
 
On the low side of a 5-1 margin at the end of the opening quarter, juniors Bryan Hess and Andrew Robbins brought the Leopards within two with tallies at the 12:59 and 10:38 marks of the second frame. Loyola finished the half on a three-goal run to counter, though, taking the 8-3 edge into the halftime break.
 
Lafayette's defense allowed just one score in the third period as the game headed to the fourth at 9-3. Unfortunately, the visitors broke through for a five-goal spurt in the fourth before a tally from sophomore Cole Dutton closed out the scoring on a 14-4 defeat.
 
Robbins led the Leopards offensively with two goals and sophomore Ryan Ness was effective between the pipes with 10 saves in 56:52 of play. Freshman Will Moran saw 3:08 of action in the final frame, making a stop and not allowing a goal in the cage.
 
Defensively, six different Leopards caused a turnover on the afternoon, while sophomore Ryan Kirkwood and senior Chris Adamo registered a team-high four ground balls apiece. Loyola led in shots, 47-15, and ground balls, 36-26.

As part of Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, the program honored former G92 in the U.S. Army, 14-year veteran Desiree R. Washington during halftime. Washington founded the Helping Hands for Veterans organization, which helps businesses assist homeless veterans into affordable housing.
 
Lafayette returns to Fisher Stadium for its next tilt on Saturday, hosting No. 15/16 Army for Community Day at 12 p.m.