The Muhlenberg men's lacrosse team started strong and finished strong, scoring three fourth-quarter goals to break a 5-5 tie en route to an 8-6 win at Susquehanna.

The victory gave the Mules a 2-0 start for the first time since 2007. They also set a school record - dating back to the start of the first edition of the program in 1965 - for fewest total goals allowed (9) in the first two games of a season. Last year, Muhlenberg lost 12-4 to Susquehanna in its opener.

Freshman Ethan Grossman was involved in six of the Mules' goals, scoring five and assisting on one in the second game of his career. The five goals and six points are the most by a Muhlenberg freshman since 2003, the year the program was reinstated.

Sophomore Garrett Pope made a career-high 13 saves to defeat a River Hawks squad that had a 33-20 advantage in shots. Sophomore Frankie Feaster was 10-of-16 in the faceoff X.

Muhlenberg led 5-1 after Grossman's third goal of the game early in the second quarter, but Susquehanna scored the next four goals, tying the score two minutes into the fourth quarter. Feaster won the ensuing faceoff, and a little more than a minute later, Grossman fed sophomore Scott Fayan for the go-ahead goal.

Grossman gave the Mules some breathing room by netting the next two goals, one unassisted and one off a feed from senior Joey Hess, to make the score 8-5 with 8:18 remaining.

The defense took care of the rest, holding the River Hawks (0-2) without a goal until only 30 seconds remained. Pope made two saves, junior Nolan Robbins caused three turnovers and sophomore Frank Caterina caused one during that span. 

After closing to within two goals, Susquehanna won the faceoff, but another caused turnover by Robbins - his fifth of the game - sealed the win.

Grossman opened the scoring 61 seconds into the game, and Muhlenberg scored three goals in a span of 1:17 - one each by Grossman, Hess and sophomore Jack Colt - to make it 4-0 midway through the first quarter.

Senior Niko Del Moro recorded his 50th career point and picked up four ground balls in the game. Senior Dylan Moyer added three ground balls. Freshman Michael Fodi recorded his first career point when he assisted on Grossman's second-quarter goal.