ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A big third quarter proved to be the difference in the game as The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team (2-3) dropped a 17-13 decision to the Muhlenberg College Mules (3-2) in non-conference action on Wednesday night at Scotty Wood Stadium in Allentown.

Muhlenberg held a slight 10-7 edge at halftime, but scored five of the seven goals in the third quarter and built a 15-9 lead after three.

The Mules scored the first two goals of the game before the Royals immediately responded with the next two and a goal by senior Christopher Crapanzano (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) tied the game with 7:47 left in the first quarter. However, the hosts then scored four of the final six goals in the quarter to take a 6-4 lead after one. After Muhlenberg scored the first goal of the second period to take a 7-4 lead, Scranton answered with two straight as senior Mitchell Kozak (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park Memorial) found the back of the net and Crapanzano trimmed the lead to one on an unassisted goal at the 5:48 mark of the quarter. The Mules went on to score three of the final four of the second quarter and despite a late goal by Crapanzano with just over two minutes left, still took the 10-7 lead into the locker room.

Wyatt Malia opened the scoring for the Mules just 1:29 into the third quarter and they went on to score the first five goals of the stanza which opened up a 15-7 lead with 4:34 remaining. Freshmen Jason Kozak (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park Memorial) and Kyle Holmes (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) each tallied a goal in the last two plus minutes of the quarter that brought Scranton within six at 15-9. In the fourth quarter, Muhlenberg scored two goals in the first 1:23 before the Royals started to mount a late comeback effort including a pair of goals from Holmes.

Crapanzano had four goals and 11 ground balls to pace Scranton, while Holmes registered a hat trick and Jason Kozak tallied two goals of his own. The duo of senior Matt Solleder (Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) and Matthew McAree (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) each added three assists apiece.

Jason Metz led Muhlenberg with six goals and Malia added five.

The Royals return home to host Ithaca on Friday afternoon with action slated to get underway at 4 p.m.

--ROYALS--