Box Score

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Benedictine University men's lacrosse team could not overcome a shaky first half in a 14-9 loss to Trine University in a neutral game top open spring break on Saturday. The contest was played at the University of Notre Dame lacrosse field.

Benedictine never led in the contest as Trine netted the first two goals of the game, both of which were scored just 20 seconds apart at the midway point of the first quarter. Goals from Zachary MacLachlan and Andrew Zmijewski scored to even the game. Trine struck for six unanswered goals before a late Benedictine marker from Connor Mersch closed the half with the Eagles trailing 8-3.

The goal from Mersch, his 16th of the season, was the first of five straight for Benedictine. The Eagles scored four after the break, blanking Trine, and allowing the team to claw within a goal at 8-7. Robert Abbott scored early in the fourth to again bring Benedictine within a goal, but Trine put the contest away with four straight.

Jeffrey Smitheram halted 18 shots in goal as Trine peppered Benedictine consistently, holding a 64-23 edge in shots. Mersch, MacLachlan, and Abbott scored two goals each in a losing effort. Mersch and Abbott also controlled five groundballs each.

Benedictine (2-3) will continue the trip with a contest at Berry in Georgia on Monday at 3:00 p.m.