NEWBURGH, NY (March 6, 2018) – The Vassar men's lacrosse team fell just short against local rival Mount Saint Mary College on Tuesday night ending up on the wrong side of a 9-8 decision.
 
In what was a tie game heading into the fourth quarter, Vassar just could not make the stops to hold the Knights offense in check. The Brewers held the 8-7 lead with 8:37 to go after Kyle Cherry's first score of the day. But Mount Saint Mary got the final two scores of the day to take the game, 9-8.
 
James Thomas tallied four goals on a night when no other Brewer had more than one point. Michael Mullen, Cherry, Drew Adams, and Tomás Meade all had one goal. While Nick Diamond, Liam Neville, and Pat Gibbons all registered an assist.
 
It was a back and forth game throughout as the Knights opened a 2-1 advantage in the first. Vassar put up four goals in the second quarter to grab a 5-4 lead heading into the break.
 
Thomas and Mullen scored first in the period to make it 3-2 in favor of the Brewers. After back-to-back goals from Mount Saint Mary, Adams and Thomas scored to give the lead back to Vassar. Thomas's goal came with just two seconds left on the clock and broke a 4-4 tie.
 
Mount Saint Mary got two goals from Dylan De Meo and Danny Kugler in the third period, while Thomas registered his fourth of the night.
 
In the final quarter, Ryan Maraio struck first for the Knights to grab the 7-6 edge. But Meade tied the game minutes later. Cherry scored his just over a minute later to put Vassar ahead 8-7. But with over eight minutes on the clock, Kluger scored twice more for the home side to go ahead 9-8 and seal the win.
 
Matt Boyd earned his fourth start of the season between the pipes, playing the full 60 minutes. The junior made eight saves on 17 Mount Saint Mary shots.
 
Vassar dominated the faceoff, winning 16 of 19 draws. Matthew Lowery was 15-18 at the "X" against the Knights.
 
The Brewers next game is at Wesleyan, who is currently ranked second in the USILA Coaches' Poll. Vassar travels to Middletown on Wednesday, March 14^th for a 1:00 p.m. faceoff with the Cardinals.