Box score

SCRANTON, Pa. -- The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team fell behind quickly and was never able to catch up in a 25-5 loss to second-ranked Salisbury on Saturday afternoon at blustery Weiss Field.

The Royals (1-1) trailed 3-0 when the game was delayed less than five minutes in due to whiteout conditions caused by a heavy snowsquall. The 25-minute delay did nothing to chill the Sea Gulls, who were playing for the first time since falling in double overtime in last season's national title game.

Salisbury (1-0) scored seven times in each of the first two periods to take a 14-2 lead at halftime. The Sea Gulls then scored nine times in the third period to put the game away.

Scranton received one goal each from senior attackman Cole Lukasiewicz (Havertown, Pa./Haverford), junior midfielder Chris Crapanzano (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge), junior attackman Mitchell Kozak (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park Memorial), senior attackman Finn Duignan (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) and sophomore attackman Matthew McAree (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset). Senior midfielder Sean Crotty (Long Beach, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) and junior defenseman Colin Pierce (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) had assists.

Salisbury held a dominant 25-9 edge in faceoffs and 51-37 in ground balls. The Sea Gulls were also successful on 18 of 21 clear attempts and committed just 20 turnovers, including just 12 in the first three periods.

Scranton finished the game 18-for-27 in clear attempts, but committed 30 turnovers. The Royals also had just 22 shots, 12 on goal.

Pierce led the Royals with seven ground balls while Lukasiewicz and sophomore midfielder Jaden Pezzolla (West Caldwell, N.J./Caldwell) had four each. Senior defenseman Michael Grant (Malverne, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) had a team-high three caused turnovers.

The Royals will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 25, when they host Montclair State at 5:30 p.m. at Weiss Field.

--ROYALS--