FROSTBURG, Md. – Despite a game-high-tying three goals from senior Jack Agres (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) and freshman Dean Kott (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), the No. 14 Mercy University Men's Lacrosse Team dropped a 13-12 decision to Frostburg State University in their ECC opener on Saturday afternoon.

The Mavericks (4-2, 0-1 ECC) have dropped two of their last three games and fall to the Bobcats (5-3, 1-0 ECC) for the first time. Mercy drops their ECC opener for the first time since 2014.

Mercy opened the first quarter with an assertive start, winning the initial faceoff and establishing early control. Kott scored the first goal at 12:59, putting the Mavericks on the board. Despite the strong start, Frostburg State quickly responded with a goal by Henry Sykes, leveling the score at 1-1 with 10:42 on the clock.

Momentum shifted as the Bobcats capitalized on a series of turnovers, scoring three more goals to take a 4-1 lead with 7:43 left in the quarter. The Mavericks managed to break the Bobcats' run with a goal from Kott, assisted by senior Matthew Magyar (Floral Park, N.Y./Wingate University), at 4:46, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Frostburg State answered with back-to-back goals to take a 6-2 lead at the 3:37 mark. Junior Colin Orsino (Brookhaven, N.Y./Bellport) added a man-up goal, narrowing the gap to 6-3. However, Frostburg State closed the quarter with a goal in the final second, ending the first quarter with a 7–3 lead over the Mavericks.

The second quarter began with the Bobcats gaining early momentum as Jack Hooks scored within the first five minutes to extend their lead to 8-3. The Mavericks responded swiftly with sophomore Trey Weinstein (Kitchener, Ontario/Newberry College) finding the net, assisted by sophomore Cole Hunsberger (Waterloo, Ontario/Grand River Collegiate Institute), to narrow the gap to 8-4. Despite another goal from Frostburg State, junior Dillon Osorio (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Saint Anthony's) capitalized on a man-up opportunity, assisted by junior Christopher Bergersen (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), making it 9-5 with 7:39 remaining in the half.

As the quarter progressed, Frostburg State added another goal, but Magyar answered back for the Mavericks, sending Mercy into halftime down, 10-6.

Mercy started the third quarter with strong momentum as Agres scored with an assist from Osorio shortly after winning the faceoff. Sophomore Michael Mitrano's (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) dominance in faceoffs continued to give the Mavericks control, leading to a goal by Hunsberger, assisted by Magyar, cutting the Bobcats' lead to 10-8 with 10:34 on the clock.

Despite a goal from the Bobcats' Sykes which made it 11-8, the Mavericks responded with Magyar finding the back of the net with help from Bergersen to make it 11-9 with 1:51 left in the quarter. Mercy headed into the fourth quarter down, 11-9.

The Mavericks commenced the fourth quarter with strong momentum, winning the initial faceoff and securing an early ground ball. Agres capitalized on this advantage by scoring at 13:46, followed shortly by Kott's goal at 11:10, to tie the game at 11-11.

As the quarter progressed, Agres added another goal at 6:49, to give Mercy a 12-11 lead. However, Frostburg State responded with goals by Keegan Green and Hayden Celio in the closing minutes, to take a 13-12 lead with 58 seconds left.

The Mavericks fought to tie the game in the final minute, with Mitrano winning a critical faceoff. Despite several shot attempts, the Mavericks were unable to find the equalizer and Frostburg State earned the 13-12 win.

Mercy was led by Agres and Kott who both had a game-high-tying three goals. Magyar had a game-high four points on two goals and two assists and Hunsberger had a goal and two assists. Osorio had a goal and an assist and Weinstein and Orsino each had a goal. Bergersen added two assists and Mitrano went 18-of-27 on faceoffs with seven ground balls. Sophomores Liam Neimeth (Farmingville, N.Y./Belmont Abbey College) and Nicholas Filocamo (Levittown, N.Y./Island Trees) and junior Jake Norton (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) each recorded two caused turnovers. Junior Cameron Dorfman (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) made one save in the first 20:36 minutes of action. Senior Peter Murphy (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson) made six saves with four goals allowed in the final 39:24 to take the loss. Murphy recorded his 100th career save.

Frostburg State was led by Celio who had a game-high-tying three goals. Jack Smith made nine saves to earn the win.

Mercy held a 45-27 edge in shots, a 42-40 edge in ground balls and went 18-of-27 on faceoffs.

Head Coach Ryan MacSpadyen and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, March 18th when they host Saint Anselm at 2 p.m.