Union loses to Clarkson in Liberty League men's lacrosse game

Two lacrosse players, one with ball — PHOTOGRAPHER: Stan Hudy

Union College men's lacrosse player Hazen Pike (20) defends teammate Owen Toland (43) as he takes a shot on goal during a practice drill at the Union College practice facility Feb. 23.

POTSDAM — Union’s recent offensive woes caught up with it in a 9-8 Liberty League men’s lacrosse loss to Clarkson on Saturday at Hantz Field.

It was the Dutchmen’s first loss to Clarkson since 2013, and their third game out of the last four in which they scored nine or fewer goals.

No. 6/8-ranked Union (1-1 conference, 6-3 overall) again played without regular starting attackmen Peter Burnes and Michael Shaw. It only led once, 5-4, on Justin Greene’s extra-man goal with 4:32 left in the third quarter. However, Clarkson (1-1, 9-1) scored the next three goals.

Union tied it at 7 on Peter Kip’s goal with 7:36 left, but Matt Reilly gave the Golden Knights the go-ahead goal with 3:35 left.

Bryan Penney’s three goals led Clarkson, which went 2 for 4 on the extra man. Jacob Mattice had 11 saves.

Freshman Emmett Lyne led Union with three goals and two assists. Zach Davis added three goals, and goalie Dan Donahue made 14 saves.

Union next hosts RIT on April 8 in a rematch of last year’s Division III national championship game.

Union 1 2 2 3 — 8

Clarkson 1 3 2 3 — 9

Union scoring: Lyne 3-2, Davis 3-0, Kip 1-2, Greene 1-0, Mabardy 0-1, Pike 0-1. Clarkson scoring: Penney 3-0, Reilly 2-0, Fiebich 1-2, Kearney 1-1, Hall 1-1, Geiger 1-0. Goalies: Union, Donahue, 14 saves. Clarkson, Mattice, 11 saves.