ASTON, Pa. – the Neumann University men's lacrosse team is defeated by non conference Utica College 19-11 Thursday afternoon.

Ryan O'Kane and Mike Pantalone scored four goals each. Sam Maldou scored two goals and added three assist.

The Knights got off to somewhat of a typical slow start trailing 2-0 just 5:16 into the first quarter. Pantalone and O'Kane answered with a goal each to tie the score at 2-2 at the 5:00 and 3:55 minute mark. Three goals would follow to finish the first quarter. Utica scored with 3:20 remaining and then the Knights brought the game to even terms, just 10 seconds later from Nick Ferraro. Maldou made key plays all afternoon and with 1:09 remaining.  He scored an unassisted goal to give the Knights a 4-3 first quarter lead.

The second quarter was not smooth sailing, as both teams would accumulate 11 penalties in the quarter. Neumann accounted for five and Utica with six penalties. Utica scored seven goals in the quarter to the Knights four goals, but the telling influence in the game was Utica's ability to cash in on four man-up goals. Of the four goals the Knights scored in the quarter were from Pantalone and O'Kane, as each scored two goals. Utica held a 10-8 advantage going into half time.

The two teams were eager to out duel each other in the third quarter and they did so by earning 12 penalties (7 Utica, 5 Neumann).  Any sort of momentum going into halftime for the Knights would be curtailed. Utica scored just 34 seconds into the quarter and added another to take a 12-8 lead.  The Knights scored three goals from Pantelone, O'Kane and Maldou, but the Knights trailed 14-11 after three quarters.

Utica somehow kicked their game into another gear, as they would riddle off five fourth quarter goals and put the whammy on the Knights, as they were goal less in the fourth quarter.  

The most significant statistic would be that Utica scored nine man-up goals in the game. The Knights continue to show their quality, but only in spurts today. The fourth quarter is the quarter to reflect on and the Knights use the game as a learning curve for Saturday's game against Messiah College.

The Knights out shot Utica 48-40, but the 19 saves by Utica's goalkeeper was the difference in the game. Andrew Neubauer produced 13 memorable saves.

The Knights 3-3 will host non-conference Messiah College Saturday March 17, slated for a 3 p.m. start.