The Muhlenberg men's lacrosse team needed someone to step up at the end of the game, and it was a freshman who fit the Bill.

First-year Jack Bill scored his fifth goal of the game with 18 seconds left in regulation to give the Mules (1-2) a thrilling 8-7 win against Clarkson in their home opener. The Golden Knights (0-1) came into the game receiving a vote in the USILA Division III poll.

Bill stepped up throughout the second half, netting all five of his goals in the final 30 minutes to help Muhlenberg erase a 3-1 halftime deficit. He scored three goals (with senior Wyatt Malia recording the other two) in a 5-0 run to open the the third quarter that gave the Mules a 6-3 advantage.

Clarkson stopped the run by scoring with just 10 seconds left in the quarter and took the momentum into the final period, eventually tying the game at 7-7 on a man-up goal with 2:04 left.

Junior Griffin Minuto, who was 11-for-17 at the X for the game, won the ensuing faceoff, and about a minute into the possession, Bill drew a tripping penalty while trying to chase down the rebound after his shot was saved. Muhlenberg called timeout with 46 seconds left and held the ball until Bill took a pass from Malia and ripped a straight-on shot into the back of the cage from 15 yards out.

The Golden Knights had a chance to tie after the Mules were called for a violation on the ensuing faceoff, but senior Stephen Krug saved a shot to his right and freshman Michael Chimics scooped up the rebound to seal the victory.

Krug made a career-high 11 saves, including 7 in the second half, to secure his first career win as a starter. 

Junior Brendan Lavarra forced three turnovers for a defense that held in check the Clarkson offense, which returned almost all its top scorers from an offense that averaged nearly 12 goals a game last year. Sophomore Luke Schwartzberg added a pair of caused turnovers.

Freshman Chase Kusko scored his first career goal for the Mules' lone tally of the first half.

pictured above: freshman Daniel Freidel