Rockville Centre, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas Aquinas College Men's Lacrosse team fell to the Molloy University Lions 11-7, in an ECC matchup on Saturday afternoon at the RVC Sports Complex on Long Island.

STAC falls to 4-6 overall and 0-3 in conference play with the loss, while Molloy improves to 7-4 and 2-0 with the win.

Freshman Jeremy Poggi led the Spartans' offense with two goals, while juniors Braiden Struss and Reno Molina (1 goal, 1 assist each), sophomore John Pena (1 goal), senior Jonathan Farley (1 goal) and freshman Ryan Christensen (1 goal) also contributed to the maroon and gold scoring on the day.

Meanwhile, Molloy was led by Adam Hyman who tallied two goals and add three helpers, while Sean Plasencia and Konrad Maciejny added two goals and two assists each. Bryan Diliberto, Justin Palulis, Mikey Rodin, Mike D'Amato and Chris Delaney also recorded a goal apiece.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Molloy opened the scoring with three straight first quarter goals, as Mikey Rodin, Mike D'Amato and Justin Palulis each found the back of the cage to make it 3-0 for the hosts.
• Braiden Struss got the Spartans on the scoreboard with his 17th of the season on the man advantage to cut the deficit to 3-1.
• The Lions got their three-goal advantage back in the final two minutes of the stanza, as John Diliberto beat STAC goalie Craig Peavy to make it 4-1.
• However, John Pena netted a goal in the final minute of action to pull the Spartans within two at 4-2 through 15 minutes of action.
• Jeremy Poggi continued the scoring for the maroon and gold to open the second quarter, striking with a man in the penalty box to make it a one-goal game, 4-3.
• Molloy answered the rally attempt with four straight goals of their own, as Adam Hyman, Sean Plasencia (2) and Konrad Maciejny each scored to put the hosts on top 8-3.
• Reno Molina answered moments later on an unassisted goal to put the Spartans within four at 8-4.
• Konrad Maciejny's second goal of the game, with just under four minutes to play before halftime, gave Molloy a five-goal advantage, 9-4 at the break.
• When the teams returned to the field for third quarter action, STAC's solid defense kept Molloy off of the scoreboard for the entire frame, while the offense saw goals from Jeremy Poggi and Ryan Christensen to make it a three-goal game at 9-6.
• In the final quarter, the Lions and Spartans battled for time and space on the field. Neither side was able to solve the other's goalie until late in the match. Molloy would strike first with a little over three minutes to play, as Adam Hyman netted his second of the day to make it 10-6.
• STAC answered back just 40 seconds later on a Jonathan Farley goal, making it a 10-7 game.
• Chris Delaney closed the scoring with an insurance goal for the Lions in the final 20 seconds to give Molloy an 11-7 victory in ECC play.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• STAC tallied 16 shots on goal, with Ryan Christensen registering four on net.
• James Staeckeler and Austin Palen each gathered four of the Spartans 34 ground balls in the match. Staeckeler and teammate Frank Schaefer also caused two turnovers apiece.
• Austin Palen went 8-for-12 on faceoffs for the maroon and gold.
• Goalie Craig Peavy (L, 4-3) stopped 24 of 33 shots faced, while Connor Reed came on in relief in the second quarter and allowed two goals, before being replaced by a returning Peavy.

UP NEXT:

St. Thomas Aquinas visits Western New York and D'Youville University on Saturday, April 15 (11:00 a.m.).