Jake Haimson	Nicholas Swift	Matt Finor	Andrew Marone
Alec Mikrut	Keith Vita	Ryan Millard	Brad Elkin

Box score

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team overcame an early deficit with a three-goal spurt, but was unable to keep that momentum in a season-opening 8-6 loss to Farmingdale State on Saturday afternoon at Rams Field.

The Royals scored three straight goals in the first period to overcome a 2-0 deficit and when sophomore attacker Jake Haimson (Montville, N.J./Montville) scored his third goal of the game in the opening minute of the final period, the Royals had a 6-5 lead.

Unfortunately, the Rams answered with three straight goals, including the insurance goal with 4:38 to play, to secure the victory.

Haimson led the way with his three goals for Scranton, junior midfielder Nicholas Swift (Lafayette Hill, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) had three assists, and the Royals got a goal each from junior attacker Andrew Marone (Morristown, N.J./Seton Hall Prep), junior midfielder Alec Mikrut (Belle Mead, N.J./Montgomery) and junior defender Keith Vita (Melville, N.Y./St. Anthony's).

Senior defenseman Ryan Millard (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) had a team-high nine ground balls, Swift added six and junior midfielder Brad Elkin (West Chester, Pa./Malvern Prep) had five.

The Royals held a 32-27 advantage in shots and won 14 of the 17 faceoffs, thanks to senior midfielder Matt Finor (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock South), who won all 14 and now has 506 career faceoff wins.

Senior attacker Philip Schaefer (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North/Hartwick) led Farmingdale State with four goals. The Rams forced the Royals into 23 turnovers while committing 22 of their own.

Scranton returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 25, when they host DeSales at 3 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field.

--ROYALS--