PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- The Lake Erie men's lacrosse team battled Thomas More University on Saturday afternoon, ultimately falling by a score of 16-10. The game started entirely on the side of the Saints, as they rushed out to a 5-0 lead by the end of the first period. While the Storm were able to score three in the second, they found themselves down 12-3 by halftime in a game they knew they could not only compete in, but win.

The second half was a completely different story. After the Saints scored to extend their lead, the Storm responded with three-straight goals to cut the deficit to 13-6 after three periods. In the fourth, the teams traded goals, with Lake Erie scoring the first and last of the period while winning the final 15 minutes 4-3. Ultimately, it was too little too late, as the first half had put the Storm in too deep of a hole to overcome.

With the loss, Lake Erie moves to 0-5 on the season, though the second-half push showed the fight the Storm continue to bring as they look ahead to their next opportunity.

Billy Coughlin was electric for the LEC offense, ripping five goals on nine shot attempts while also assisting three others. He contributed directly to eight of the Storm's 10 goals.

Joshua Hegbe won five of the team's six faceoff victories, led the Storm with four ground balls, and caused two turnovers, continuing to be a menace on the defensive end.

Looking Ahead

Next on the slate for the Storm is a trip to West Virginia to take on Davis & Elkins on Tuesday, March 10th. The Senators sit at 1-5 this season after a 15-7 loss to Malone on Saturday. Of their 53 goals this season, 37 have come from a trio of players: redshirt junior attack Devon Gargia (14), junior midfielder Karsen Kronen (14), and senior midfielder Xzavier Jankowiak (9).