READING, Pa. – The Albright men's lacrosse team opened its 2019 season with 13-3 loss to Swarthmore on Saturday afternoon at Shirk Stadium in the home opener.
 
The Garnet went on the attack early as they scored their first goal just 1:43 into the contest before tallying a second goal at the 9:33-mark of the first quarter. Sophomore Ethan Gain got the Lions on the board just under two minutes later after classmate Carson Babcock found him in front of the net to make it 2-1. However, turnovers began to mount for the Lions which the Garnet used to capitalize on to go up 4-1 after the first quarter. The teams went scoreless for the majority of the second quarter before the Garnet extended its lead to 5-1 on a behind-the-back shot with 1:30 left in the first half. Swarthmore then forced a Lion turnover in their own zone before tallying their sixth goal with just 33 seconds left in the first half.
 
Swarthmore scored again just 55 seconds into the third quarter to go up 7-1, and tallied three more goals in the span of 2:17 to take a commanding 10-1 lead. The Garnet would go up 12-1 into the fourth quarter, and Gain stopped the 10-goal run with his second of the day at the 13:20-mark of the final quarter. Sophomore Connor Graser would tally the final goal of the day from either team at the 11:31-mark after taking it himself from midfield.
 
 The Garnet held a 45-19 shot advantage for the game and 30-12 advantage for shots on goal. Swarthmore held a 41-31 advantage in ground balls and a 15-4 advantage in face offs as well. Gain led the Lions with two goals, while Babcock and freshman Alex McKendry tallied assists as well. Senior goalkeeper Conor Scafidi suffered the loss after registering a career-high 17 saves in the full 60 minutes. The Garnet used two goalies in the contest with starter Frankie Dillon earning the win after making eight saves in 49:30.
 
The Lions will return to action on Saturday February, 23rd when they will travel to face Misericordia at 1 p.m.