POTSDAM, N.Y. – Despite coming out firing offensively and holding a 6-3 lead after the first quarter, the Ithaca College men's lacrosse team couldn't hold on as they opened up Liberty League play with a 12-10 loss to (RV) Clarkson University on Saturday.
 
The Bombers looked to secure a win over Clarkson, but the Golden Knights struck first, taking a 1–0 lead just 2:43 into the contest. IC responded quickly, as Tommy Allocco tied the game before Ethan Adrid followed to give the Bombers a 2–1 advantage. Cullen Adams extended the lead to 3–1 off an assist from Tim Rogers.
 
With 6:10 remaining in the opening quarter, Rogers added a goal of his own, finishing a feed from Brendan Occhino. Clarkson snapped IC's scoring run with 5:27 left in the period, slipping one past Andrew Minard. Occhino answered late in the quarter with a goal off a pass from Lucas Proctor, pushing the lead to 5–2. Clarkson continued to battle, but Tim Rogers capped the first-quarter scoring with his second goal of the period, sending the Bombers into the second quarter ahead 6–3.
 
The Golden Knights opened the second stanza with momentum, scoring three unanswered goals to tie the game at 6–6 with 7:04 left in the half. Despite a strong defensive effort from the Bombers, Clarkson added another goal in the closing minutes to take a one-goal lead into halftime.
 
IC wasted little time responding in the second half, as Greg Szyluk scored just 12 seconds in off an assist from Liam Alberti at the faceoff X to tie the game at 7–7. Tim Rogers followed with back-to-back goals to give the Bombers a 9–8 advantage with 9:11 remaining in the third quarter. Clarkson answered late, scoring with 27 seconds left to knot the game at 9–9 heading into the final period.
 
Clarkson opened the fourth quarter by scoring twice in quick succession to build an 11–9 lead. The Golden Knights added another goal with 5:05 remaining to extend their advantage to three. Will Kleine brought the Bombers back within two with 1:25 left, but the comeback effort came up short.
Despite strong defensive performances from Jace Dockx, who finished with two caused turnovers and a ground ball, and goalkeeper Andrew Minard, who recorded 14 saves, Clarkson held on for the win. Alberti finished 17-of-26 in the faceoff X, while offensively Tim Rogers finished with five points on four goals and an assist.
 
The loss snapped Ithaca's five-game winning streak but will return to non-conference action in their next contest slated for Tuesday, March 24 at Hamilton College. First faceoff is slated for 4 p.m.