SELINSGROVE, PA- The defense for the Susquehanna men's lacrosse team was the nail in the coffin for the Cougars from Misericordia University in Wednesday's 12-8 home-opening win. Goalkeeper Augie Granatelli completed 17 saves on the day, while only allowing eight goals past him. The turnover battle belonged to the Cougars, but Susquehanna's defense caused critical ones down the stretch to hold down the victory. 

The River Hawks opened the game scoring five straight goals throughout the first quarter, with goalie Augie Granatelli pitching a shutout through the first 15 minutes. Less than a minute into the match up Brennan Lorence added to his school goal record recording the first goal 28 seconds into the game. Following Lorence's goal were two goals recorded by Marc Manfredonia, one by Kieran Thomas, and one by Chris Ciccarello. Jack Gaillard and Nick Remund assisted on two of the five first quarter goals.  

Misericordia would answer back in the beginning of the second quarter as Connor Bevan would net the first Cougar goal. Susquehanna would push their lead all the way to six shortly after this. Tyler Young and Reese Ackerman would both score unassisted goals back-to-back. Misericordia would push two balls into the back of the net before Reese Ackerman would finish off the half with his second goal of the evening, assisted by Jack Gaillard.  

The River Hawks would pick up right where they left off early in the third quarter when Jack Gaillard would lay a perfect pass to Lorence that would result in another SU goal. Lorence would push the Susquehanna lead to a comfortable 10-3 with his next unassisted goal with 10:31 remaining in the third quarter. Misericordia would rip off three straight goals to end the period, with Susquehanna sitting with a 10-6 lead.  

Heading into the final 15 minutes of the match up Misericordia would be the first to strike, cutting into the River Hawk lead once again. Susquehanna would be sitting with a 10-7 lead with 13:15 remaining. The SU defense would step up massively as Misericordia would shoot multiple shots, all being saved by Granatelli, with the help of his stellar defense. Susquehanna would notch another two balls into the Cougar net, pushing the game to a five-goal lead with less than five minutes to go. Nick Remund would assist Reese Ackerman, while Gabe Broome would Brennan Lorence to push the score to 12-7 in favor of the home team.

Lorence's numbers continue to matriculate, as the senior who crossed the 200 career-point threshold after Saturday's win at Arcadia now has 207 points lifetime and 166 goals. Gaillard added to his school record-breaking career assists total, now with 112 for his career. 

Susquehanna heads into the spring break schedule sitting very comfortably at a perfect 3-0 on the season. The River Hawks will welcome Kings College (Pa.) on Saturday, March 1, followed by a visit to Immaculata University on March 5. Susquehanna hopes to keep the perfect season alive as they head into these spring break matchups.