EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette men's lacrosse was defeated by No. 12 Delaware, 14-5, in the Leopards' home opener on Saturday at Fisher Stadium.
 
Freshman midfielder Jack Irish led Lafayette with two goals, an assist and a ground ball. Charlie Cunniffe, John Mathes and Liam Sargent all chipped in a goal apiece for the Maroon and White.
 
Delaware's Tye Kurtz paced the Blue Hens with five goals and an assist. JP Ward, Mike Robinson and Jason Kolar each recorded two goals apiece.
 
The Blue Hens got off to a hot start in their 2023 opener, leading 5-0 at the end of the first period.
 
At 9:52 in the second period, Liam Sargent put the Leopards on the scoreboard off of an assist from Irish. Delaware led 7-1 going into intermission.
 
The Leopards struck again at 13:58 in the third quarter, as Cunniffe recorded the second Lafayette goal. Irish added two goals in the fourth quarter and Mathes netted one on a sunny day on College Hill.
 
Rookie goalkeeper Joe Doherty got his second collegiate starting nod in net, recording 14 saves. His Delaware counterpart Matt Kilkeary made 12 saves for the Blue Hens.
 
Lafayette returns home next Saturday to host Sacred Heart at 4 p.m.