Box Score

ALBION, Mich. – Throughout a game of runs and momentum-changing moments, the Cardinal men's lacrosse team ultimately dropped a highly-competitive contest at Albion College Saturday afternoon, falling just short in a 10-9 loss during non-conference action.

Otterbein saw its four-game winning streak snapped as a result of the defeat, and now sits at 4-2 on the season. The Britons, receiving votes in the latest national rankings, improve to 4-1 with the close victory.

The Cards jumped ahead early, assuming a 3-1 lead after consecutive goals from Robbie Guiliano, Hayden Novicki and Mike Sullivan to end the first quarter.

Albion settled in and seized the lead, rattling off four-straight goals to begin the second quarter, including two within 13 seconds of one another, to grab a 5-3 advantage.

Otterbein hung tough, getting a goal from Connor Baak to end the first half, and then another off his stick to begin the second half, to tie the matchup at 6-6.

The Cardinals scored twice near, near the end of the third period, to take an 8-6 lead in their quest for a key road win. The Britons had other plans, answering the bell with another 4-0 run that was capped at the 6:34 mark of the final quarter. Two of the four goals were man-up.

Otterbein's Nick Tholt trimmed the deficit in half as the game clocked moved under 4:00 to play, but Albion won the ensuing faceoff and ultimately held on for the win.

Baak finished with a hat trick to lead Otterbein offensively, while leading-goal scorer Robbie Guiliano added two of his own.

Kyle Formanczyk had a solid 13 saves in goal for the hosts while James Gundling finished with eight on the Otterbein side of the field.