A rough third quarter turned the tide of a close game as the Muhlenberg men's lacrosse team dropped its season opener to Susquehanna, 12-4.

The Mules, who started three freshmen, came out with great intensity against a Susquehanna team that tied a school record with 12 wins last year and has qualified for the Landmark Conference playoffs the last four seasons. Muhlenberg had a 10-2 advantage in shots in the first quarter, taking a 2-1 lead on a pair of goals by senior Brad D'Alessandro.

The River Hawks scored twice in the second quarter to go ahead 3-2, then pulled away by scoring six third-quarter goals.

Junior Joey Hess netted his 14th career goal in the fourth quarter, while two freshmen teamed up for the other Mule tally, with Declan Moylan assisting Paul Krueger (pictured above).

Other freshmen to make an impact in their collegiate debuts included Frank Caterina, who picked up a game-high five ground balls and caused two turnovers, and Frankie Feaster, was was 11-of-17 on faceoffs and also forced a pair of turnovers.

The two goals moved D'Alessandro into a tie for ninth place on the Mules' all-time list with 59 for his career.