ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Despite a game-high-tying four goals from senior Jack Agres (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), the RV Mercy University Men's Lacrosse Team dropped a 17-11 decision at ECC foe No. 14 Molloy University on Saturday afternoon.

The Mavericks (6-5, 2-2 ECC) have dropped three of their last five games and fall to the Lions (11-3, 5-0 ECC) for the second straight time.

Molloy took an early lead with goals from Jake Taylor and Brandon Pazienza within the first two minutes. Justin Palulis and Taylor added two more goals to give the Lions a 4-0 lead at 8:34. Mercy responded with persistence, as Agres scored to put Mercy on the board. Shortly after, senior Matthew Magyar (Floral Park, N.Y./Wingate University), assisted by sophomore Cole Hunsberger (Waterloo, Ontario/Grand River Collegiate Institute), narrowed the gap to 4-2.

Molloy extended its lead with a goal from Noah Hammon. However, Mercy capitalized on a man-up opportunity, with junior Colin Orsino (Brookhaven, N.Y./Bellport) scoring, assisted by senior Devon Duchnowski (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place). The first quarter concluded with Molloy leading 5-3.

In the second quarter, Molloy began by extending its lead with an early goal by Brian Green, assisted by Jaden Simick. A Simick goal later gave the Lions a 7-3 lead at 10:03. Mercy responded as Hunsberger scored back-to-back goals, the second assisted by junior Christopher Bergersen (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), narrowing the gap to two, 7-5, at 7:31. Molloy countered with another goal, but the Mavericks capitalized on a man-up opportunity with goals from Hunsberger, assisted by graduate student Aidan Babnik (Carmel, N.Y./LIU), and Agres, assisted by Hunsberger, cutting the Molloy lead to one, 8-7, at 4:25.

Molloy increased the lead back to two, 9-7, with a goal by Tommy Corcoran, but Mercy's defense held strong to prevent further scoring. The quarter closed with Mercy trailing Molloy, 9-7, after a series of exchanges and defensive efforts from both teams.

Molloy opened the third quarter with a decisive scoring run, netting three consecutive goals between 9:10 and 8:14, extending its lead to 12-7. Mercy responded with a goal at 7:50, when Duchnowski scored, narrowing the gap to 12-8. However, Molloy added two more goals, further widening its advantage to 14-8 at 6:06.

Mercy continued to press, with Agres scoring off an assist from Babnik at 2:37, but Molloy maintained control of the quarter. Mercy ended the third quarter trailing 14-9.

Mercy initiated the fourth quarter with a faceoff win by sophomore Gavin Lamere (Plainview, N.Y./Herricks), setting the tone for an aggressive start. A Green goal at 10:37 gave Molloy a 15-9 lead. Duchnowski capitalized on a man-up opportunity, scoring with an assist from Bergersen to cut into Molloy's lead. This momentum continued with Agres finding the net shortly after, bringing the score to 15-11 with 8:24 left.

However, Molloy responded with a strong offensive push. Green scored twice, including one man-up goal, extending Molloy's advantage to 17-11 with 2:57 left. Despite several defensive efforts and saves by senior Peter Murphy (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson), Molloy managed to maintain their lead. The game ended with a score of 17-11 in favor of Molloy.

Mercy was led by Hunsberger who had a game-high-tying five points on three goals and two assists. Agres scored a career-high four goals and had four ground balls and Duchnowski added two goals and an assist. Babnik and Bergersen both had two assists and Orsino and Magyar each added a goal. Sophomore Nicholas Filocamo (Levittown, N.Y./Island Trees) had a game-high four caused turnovers with three ground balls and sophomore Michael Mitrano (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) went 6-of-20 on faceoffs with one ground ball. Junior Cameron Dorfman (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) played the first 38:11 in goal and made seven saves to take the loss. Murphy played the final 21:49 in goal and made four saves.

Molloy was led by Brian Green who had a game-high-tying five points on four goals and one assist. John Basile made nine saves to earn the win.

Molloy held a 44-29 edge in shots, a 41-24 edge in ground balls and Mercy went 9-of-30 on faceoffs.

Head Coach Ryan MacSpadyen and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, April 18th when they host STAC at 2 p.m.