Mocs Fall in Season Opener

The Moccasins got off to a quick start in Friday night's season-opener, but couldn't hold the lead, falling to Tampa 7-4 at Tampa's Pepin Field. With the win Tampa won its inaugural game in men's lacrosse.

The Moccasins struck first, as Kevin Naslonski’s shot found the back of the net with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter. Later in the quarter Naslonski found Brian Weil for a goal to give the Moccasins a 2-0 lead. 

Six minutes into the second quarter, though, Tampa got on the scoreboard as M.J. Lorenzo found A.J. DeSimone for the Spartans' first goal to cut the lead to 2-1 and that's how the score remained going to halftime.

It was a different story in the second half, as the Spartans scored four unanswered goals to take a 5-2 lead with 13:48 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Moccasins battled back, as Mat Thompson found Weil for his second goal of the game.  Later in the quarter Jon Freda connected with Thompson for a goal that cut Tampa's lead to 5-4 with 3:58 remaining, but the Spartans added a pair of goals for the 7-4 final.

Weil finished the game with two goals, while Naslonski and Thompson each tallied a goal and an assist. Adam Ismaeil led the Moccasins with six ground balls.

The Moccasins will return to action Feb.18, when they travel to Gaffney, S.C., to face third-ranked Limestone. Game time is 1 p.m.