Box Score

The Muhlenberg men's lacrosse team showed some early lightning in its season-opening game at Susquehanna, but it was some late lightning from Mother Nature that dominated the day.

In a game that ended more than four hours after it started due to two fourth-quarter lightning delays, the Mules were defeated, 12-7.

Muhlenberg scored five goals in a span of 6:20 late in the first quarter to stun the Crusaders (2-0), who return many key players from a team that went 12-4 last year. Sophomore Niko Del Moro scored three of the goals for his first career hat trick, while senior Peter Zipf and sophomore Ryan Malloy each scored his first career goal to give the Mules a 5-2 lead after one quarter.

Two other firsts came in the second quarter, with sophomore Timmy Brennan (first career goal) scoring off an assist from classmate Will Walter (first career point). The goal gave Muhlenberg a 6-4 lead with 2:50 left in the half, but Susquehanna reeled off the next five goals.

Junior Brad D'Alessandro made it 9-7 just before the second lightning delay, and when the teams came back the Crusaders netted the final three goals.

Senior Kyle Larkin (pictured above) made a career-high 17 saves in his first career start to keep the Mules close despite a 51-24 deficit in shots.