HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- A quick two goals in the first 26 seconds had confidence running high on Burke Field, but Houghton men's lacrosse couldn't hold on in a 9-5 home defeat to Lyndon State.
Paul Chapman wasted little time getting the Highlanders on board. After
Nathan Moore controlled the faceoff and groundball, Chapman worked his way to the net for an unassisted goal just 16 seconds in. Chapman's brother, Cole, got in the act just seconds later. Moore won another faceoff and groundball, sent a quick shot that went wide of the net. Cole took the restart, went straight to the goal and put his shot past the keeper to make the score 2-0 less than 30 seconds into the game.
The Hornets, however, didn't fold and worked their way to a goal midway through the first quarter and evened the score at two just two minutes later. It only took another two minutes for the visitors to take the lead for good, and they added another tally with 40 seconds left in the quarter to go up 4-2. After the Hornets made it 5-2 four minutes into the second quarter, the teams played to a stalemate for the next 10 minutes, before
Paul Chapman got his second of the game with 2:23 left in the half.
The Highlanders made it interesting in the third quarter, twice pulling to within one goal, but they could never find the equalizer. Chapman netted the hattrick midway through the quarter and
Samuel Pyo scored his first of the year with 3:11 left. Their best chance to tie came early in the fourth when the Hornets found themselves down two men to penalties. However, Houghton could not get any quality chances on net. Back at full strength Lyndon State regained a two-goal lead (7-5) with 6:50 to go and then added goals at the four minute and 55 second mark.
Paul Chapman finished with three goals and an assist on the afternoon. Moore was 10-for-14 from the faceoff spot and came away with 11 ground balls.
Christian Bigham finished with five caused turnovers.
Jorge Medina made 10 saves and secured five ground balls in net.
Houghton (0-2) is back in action on Saturday when they travel to take on Thiel.
