Box Score

The Albright College Lions got a taste of the elite group of Division III men's lacrosse squads that they aspire to challenge, playing well after the first quarter of a 16-4 loss to #2 Cortland State.

The Lions clearly struggled to deal with the pace and skill of Cortland in the first quarter, falling behind 7-1. However, Albright soon settled down, scoring twice in the second period and out-shooting the 2012 national finalists 27-26 over the final three quarters.

Sophomore Philip Potter scored twice for Albright, while classmates Justin Brown and T.J. Holston each had two assists. Also scoring for the Red and White were Ryan Turner and Matthew Lomady.

Sophomore Darian Meador had a good performance on faceoffs, winning 11-of-21 draws and picking up five ground balls. Classmate Joe Devinney added four ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Amazingly, it was Albright's first regular season loss ever at Shirk Stadium, after going 10-1 at home in their 2012 inaugural season (losing only to Widener in the Commonwealth championship game).

Cortland scored twice in a nine-second span in the opening minutes to lead 3-0. Zach Hopps made it 4-0 after 5:26, forcing Albright to call timeout. The Lions soon responded, with Potter taking it from behind the cage for Albright's first goal of the season.

Albright goalie Andrew Torak (six saves) made a nice stop on Taylor Mendoza, and Dan Foote and Lomady had great chances in succession that went wide. Cortland hit the post with a second left in the first quarter, but still led 7-1.

Down 9-1 in the second, Turner got crosschecked by the goalie but still managed to score for Albright. On the ensuing power play, Potter was crushed but also managed to find the net, cutting the gap to 9-3 and putting the Lions on yet another man-advantage opportunity.

Albright's Jordan DiZenzo made four saves in relief of Torak, including a point-blank stop on All-American Cody Consul in the third quarter.

The Lions scored their fourth and final goal with 46 second left in the game, on a nice spin move by Lomady.

Cortland was led by Matt Rakoczy and Hopps (three goals, two assists each). The Lions challenged All-American goalie Mike Kaminski, forcing him into 11 saves in 42:10 of action.

Albright (0-1) is home again next Saturday against Arcadia. Cortland, #2 in the USILA polls and #1 in Lacrosse Magazine's Preseason Poll, travels to Union next weekend.