SCRANTON, Pa. – Senior Matthew McAree (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) and sophomore Pat McCormack (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) scored five goals apiece and The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team (1-1) held off a late Muhlenberg rally in a 13-10 victory over the Mules (0-2) on Wednesday afternoon at Weiss Field in Scranton.

Muhlenberg was able to cut the deficit to three at 13-10 with 7:43 to play, but Scranton held the visitors without a goal over the final seven plus minutes and secured the victory.

This marked the Royals' first win over Muhlenberg since 2017.

McAree opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game and scored three goals in the first quarter as the Royals built an early 4-1 lead after one. In the second period, senior Joe Boyle (Huntington, N.Y./St. Anthony's) found the back of the net just 1:57 in and Scranton then reeled off five straight including three from McCormack that made it a 9-1 game for the time being. The Mules scored the final three goals of the quarter as the Royals eventually took a 9-4 lead into the locker room.

The third quarter proved to be more of the same as McAree and McCormack each struck for two goals apiece in the first 5:52 and McAree's second tally during that stretch extended the lead to 13-5. From there, the Royals took a 13-7 lead into the fourth when Muhlenberg got two goals in a 0:53 span from Jack Bill that trimmed the deficit to four at 13-9. Scranton's defense held strong over the final seven plus minutes and notched the win.

McAree collected six ground balls and caused a pair of turnovers to go along with his five goals on the day.

For McCormack, the five goals marks a new career-high as it eclipses the previous high of two that had been set on three occasions last season.

Boyle added a goal, assist and two ground balls on the day, while junior Zachariah Palinkas (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) recorded three ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Sophomore goalie Declan Allen (Garden City, N.Y./Millbrook) made 17 saves in the victory for the Royals.

Muhlenberg was led by Wyatt Malia who tallied seven points on five goals and two assists.

The Royals are back in action on Saturday afternoon at No. 5 Dickinson for a 1 p.m. start.

--ROYALS--