READING, Pa. – The Neumann University men's lacrosse team opened up their season with a 14-12 loss in a back and forth game at Alvernia University on Wednesday afternoon.

Chase Fraser and Adam Fagan carried the Knights offensively on the day. Fraser finished the day with a team leading four goals, two assists and six ground balls. Fagan added three goals of his own, while Chris Augustine and Ryan Lee each added a goal and two assists. Xavier Glanzel, Harris Walker and Tylar Schlimme also scored for the Knights. Brendan Risley was excellent in goal, keeping Neumann in the game with 16 saves in the loss.

The season opening quarter would not start as planned for the Knights as Alvernia would score just eight seconds into the game to take an early 1-0 lead. Despite the early tally, Neumann would answer back just over a minute later. Walker scored off a feed from Glanzel to knot the game back up at one. The remainder of the first frame would be a back and forth affair. The Crusaders would score the game's next two goals to jump in front 3-1, but Neumann would again show its resiliency, fighting back with goals from Fraser and Augustine to get the game tied at three headed to the second quarter.

The second stanza would see the game settle a bit, with goaltending and defense coming to the forefront. It would take over 12 minutes in the quarter to break the deadlock before Schlimme would find the back of the net with 2:25 left in the half to give the Knights their first lead of the game. Alvernia would tie the game up a minute later, but Fraser would score his second goal of the game with just 48 seconds remaining in the quarter to give the Knights a 5-4 lead heading into halftime.

After a second frame that saw only a combined three goals between the two teams, the third quarter would feature an offensive explosion. The teams would combine for 11 goals in the period as the game continued to go back and forth. Alvernia would outscore the Knights by a count of 6-5 in the quarter, fighting back to get the game tied 10-10 headed into the final frame. Glanzel would tally the Knights first goal of the quarter before Fraser and Fagan each added a pair of goals of their own.

The final quarter would continue to be a battle, but Alvernia would edge its way in front. An early Crusaders goal was cancelled out by Fagan's third score of the game, but Alvernia would record the game's next two goals just eight seconds apart midway through the quarter to take a 13-11 lead. Neumann would fight back as Lee scored on a man-advantage with 5:42 left to play, but an Alvernia goal with just over two minutes left to play would seal the deal for the Crusaders.

Neumann (0-1) returns to Aston for its home opener this Friday, February 24^th versus Elmira College. Game-time is scheduled for 3:30 PM.