KINGS POINT, N.Y.-The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team fought back from a four-goal halftime deficit, only to drop a 10-9 decision to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Landmark Conference action Saturday afternoon.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Royals, now 4-5 overall and 1-1 in the Landmark Conference, while the Mariners improved to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Junior attacker Brian Flannery (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) scored three of his game-high four goals in the first half as the Mariners built up an 8-4 lead by intermission. Senior Brennan Dougherty (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) added three goals and freshman midfielder Tyler Spaulding (Hollywood , Md./St. Mary's Ryken) two as USMMA held on to win despite scoring only two goals in the second half.

Sophomore attacker Kyle Frank (Glen Arm, Md./Boys' Latin) led Scranton with three goals, sophomore midfielder Christian Dugan (Avon, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) added a pair, and senior attacker Nick Youngstrom (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal), sophomore midfielders JP Barton (North Brunswick, N.J./St. Joseph Metuchen) and Keenan Dowd (Binghamton, N.Y./Seton Catholic), and freshman attacker Brett Greer (Morton, Pa./Ridley) contributed one apiece. The Royals also received two assists from senior midfielder Thomas Kornobis (Merrick, N.Y./W.C. Mepham) and Youngstrom.

After Dugan and Spaulding traded goals during a five-minute span in the third period, Scranton appeared to swing the momentum in its favor on goals by Dowd and Dugan over the final four minutes to cut the lead to 9-7 entering the final 15 minutes of play.

Frank then cut the margin to one, 9-8, with a goal off of the second of back-to-back assists from Kornobis with 6:23 remaining. Dougherty then tallied his 18th goal of the season with 2:58 left to give the Mariners a two-point cushion, 10-8. Barton set the final score with a goal off of a play set up by Youngstrom with 1:37 left. After Barton's goal, sophomore midfielder Patrick Cefalu (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) won the face-off, but Scranton turned the ball over twice down the stretch and never got off a shot attempt in an attempt to tie the game.

Mariner junior Keegan Boyle (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug) was brilliant in goal, stopping 18 of the 28 shots he faced, while junior Jeremy Dowiak (Hackettstown, N.J./West Morris) and freshman Colin Gable (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) split time evenly for the Royals and combined for five saves.

The Royals held a 43-29 advantage in shots, including a 24-11 margin in the second half. Scranton also won 15 of 23 face-off attempts, including 15 of 22 by Cefalu. Scranton did, however, turn the ball over 21 times, including nine in the fourth period.

Scranton will host Goucher College in Landmark Conference action next Saturday, April 4, at Fitzpatrick Field beginning at 1:00 p.m.

2009-03-28