NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The No. 2 Penn State men's lacrosse team fell to No. 7 Yale, 14-13, despite bringing it within one goal after trailing by as much as five on Saturday afternoon in Reese Stadium in New Haven, Connecticut.
A 5-3 fourth quarter for the Nittany Lions was not enough to over come the 11-8 difference after three. Penn State fought valiantly, scoring five of the last six goals of the game, including pulling within one with just under a minute left to play, but it was not enough to complete the comeback.
Penn State opened strong, scoring just 29 seconds into the game. They took a 4-2 lead late into the opening quarter until the hosts scored two in the final minute to tie the game at 4 after one.
Yale opened the second quarter strong, scoring two quick goals taking advantage of the success at the x as the Bulldogs took an 8-10 advantage at the x early. Yale took a 3-1 second quarter goal differential to take a 7-5 lead into the break. Yale took their momentum into the third to go up 11-8.
Penn State saw redshirt junior Grant Ament tie his career-best in the assist category as he dished out seven dimes. He added two goals for a game-high nine points. Junior Mac O'Keefe added five goals, while senior Nick Spillane and sophomore Jack Kelly each added two. Redshirt junior Dylan Foulds added two points with a goal and an assist, while Dan Reaume found the back of the net once, and freshman TJ Malone added an assist.
Defensively, senior Chris Sabia caused three turnovers and led the team with five ground balls. O'Keefe added two caused turnovers on the ride, and Foulds, junior TJ Connellan, senior Kevin Fox, junior Nick Cardile, redshirt junior Tommy Wright, and junior Gerard Arceri each caused one.
Junior goalkeeper Colby Kneese recorded 10 saves in his 40 minutes in care.
Penn State returns home on Saturday, March 2 for a 1 p.m. battle with in-state foe Penn in University Park, Pa.