The Lafayette men’s lacrosse team lost their first Patriot League game against No. 10 Loyola Maryland on Feb. 24. Lafayette’s record moves to 2-3 for the season and 0-1 in conference play following the tough loss in Baltimore.

The nationally-ranked Greyhounds scored the first two goals of the game before freshman attacker John Natoli was able to respond. He ripped a goal in the first quarter that put Lafayette on the boards and reduced the lead.

After staying competitive through the first quarter, an 11-goal run from Loyola took away Lafayette’s momentum and left the outcome of the game without question. The Leopards went on to lose 5-19, but the blowout allowed some of the team’s younger players to get some minutes.

Junior goalkeeper Jonathan Anastos saved 11 of 25 the shots sent against him in almost 50 minutes of play. Freshman goalkeeper Jake Floyd-Jones closed the 10 final minutes of the game, getting his first playing time for the season. Letting up three goals, the freshman also recorded his first ever collegiate save.

Sophomore midfielder Andrew Chase had a strong performance despite the loss, scoring not only his first ever collegiate goal but also tallying an assist in the fourth quarter. Other scorers for Lafayette were junior attacker Conor Walters and senior attackers Alex Mezey and Luke Smith.

Loyola managed to put up 50 shots against Lafayette’s 27. Loyola also dominated possession of the ball, letting up only 12 turnovers compared to Lafayette’s 20, as well as winning 28 of the game’s 44 faceoffs.

In their next Patriot League match up, the Leopards take on No. 9 Army on March 3 at Fisher Field.