ALBION, Mich. – The Trine University men's lacrosse team hung close but were unable to take go over the top and would fall to their hosts from Albion College by the score of 13-10.
The Britons struck first in the contest scoring just 28 seconds into the game to take the 1-0 lead. The Thunder responded quickly however, scoring their first goal just under a minute later. Junior Noah Markus (Woodbury, Minn. / East Ridge) would score the goal for the team with freshman Patrick Doyle (Fishers, Ind. / Cathedral) adding an assist.
The middle part of the opening quarter would go to Albion, with the home team scoring three straight goals to build a 4-1 lead. Markus would break the streak with his second of the day to pull Trine back within striking distance at 4-2. The team's would trade goals during the final two minutes of the period, with senior Austin Lindell (Geneva, Ill. / Geneva) scoring the Thunder's to make the score 5-3 at the first break.
The Britons would start the second on another run outscoring Trine 5-1 over the first seven minutes. The lone Trine goal over the stretch came with 10:36 remaining from Lindell. Senior Matt Zanichelli (Rolling Meadows, Ill. / William Fremd) would give the Thunder a jolt in the final minutes of the quarter scoring a pair before halftime to make the score 10-6 at the intermission.
Albion would once again strike first in the third quarter, but for the first time Trine would win the frame. Freshman Charlie Anderson (Howell, Mich. / Hartland) would score the team's first goal of the half, followed by a goal from junior Andrew Douglas (Liberty Twp., Ohio / Lakota East) and then from sophomore Collin Custer (Spanaway, Wash. / Bethel). The Thunder would outscore the opposition 3-2 in the period cutting the lead to three at 12-9 going into the final quarter.
The two teams would each score just one goal in the fourth to put the final at 13-10 in favor of Albion. Douglas would score the goal for Trine.
Zanichelli led the way offensively for the Thunder scoring two goals and adding three assists to finish with five points, all were team highs. Joining him with two goals each were Lindell, Douglas and Markus. Doyle would finish second on the team with two assists.
Sophomore Nick DiPaolo (Flemington, N.J. / Immaculate) played the game in net for the team and played well finishing the game with 11 saves while allowing the 13 goals.
Leading the team defensively was senior Dave Keptner (Midland, Mich. / H.H. Dow) who led the team with five caused turnovers and six groundballs. Markus would finish second with three caused turnovers, while junior Jack Konicek would come in second with four groundballs.
Trine falls to 8-3 overall and 2-2 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play following the loss. They will look to bounce back when they host Adrian College for their final home game of the season on Tuesday, April 26. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.