SCRANTON, Pa. – Senior Matthew McAree (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) scored a game-high five goals and The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team (2-4) notched a 12-9 victory over the Montclair State Red Hawks (2-1) in non-conference action on a rainy Wednesday night at Weiss Field in Scranton.

Scranton led 7-5 at halftime and then outscored the Red Hawks by a 5-1 margin in the third quarter to help extend the lead.

Senior Alex Eglitis (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) opened the scoring just under two minutes into the game and Will Ginch answered for the visitors less than five seconds later to create the early one-all deadlock. Eglitis added his second goal of the game later in the first quarter and a late goal from junior John O'Connor (Rocky Point, N.Y./Rocky Point) off a faceoff win tied the game at three apiece after one. McAree scored three of his five goals in the second period and his goal with 3:29 to play before half created the 7-5 advantage.

The Manhasset, N.Y., native then found the back of the net just 1:24 into the third quarter as part of a four-goal run for the Royals and senior Seamus O'Callaghan (Bethpage, N.Y./Chaminade) capped things off with a goal of his own to extend the lead to 11-5. Fellow senior Joe Boyle (Huntington, N.Y./St. Anthony's) scored with just over three minutes left in the third quarter to give Scranton a 12-6 lead after three. From there, Montclair State was able to slice the deficit to three at 12-9 with 3:16 remaining, but Eglitis caused a turnover just over a minute later and collected the ensuing ground ball to help seal the victory.

McAree's five goals matched his season-high and Eglitis added four points on two goals and two assists, while sophomore Kyle Holmes (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) added a goal and assist of his own.

Graduate student defender Colin Pierce (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) tallied nine ground balls and tied for the team lead with three caused turnovers along with senior Andrew Lord (Havertown, Pa./Haverford). McAree added five ground balls and two caused turnovers of his own.

Three different players scored two goals apiece for Montclair State.

In goal for the Royals, sophomore goalie Declan Allen (Garden City, N.Y./Millbrook) made 12 saves in the victory.

Scranton will hit the road to face Ithaca on Saturday afternoon with action getting underway at 1 p.m.

--ROYALS--