Geneseo, NY – A late rally pushed the Clarkson University Men’s Lacrosse team to within striking distance of 10th-ranked Geneseo State, but a goal in the final five minutes provided insurance for the Blue Knights in a 10-7 decision.

The Golden Knights dropped to 0-7 on the season, while Geneseo improved to 5-1. Clarkson will look to get on the winning track on Wednesday when the team hosts Plattsburgh State at Hantz Turf Field.

Though Clarkson’s offense was unable to produce much offensively in the early going, the defense played well enough to keep the game close with the Blue Knights. Geneseo led 3-0 early in the second period, but once Clarkson got on the scoreboard late in the half, the two teams played virtually even for the remainder of the contest. Sophomore Ryan Esposito (Nanuet, NY) broke the ice with 4:45 remaining in the half, and classmate Eric Gollands (Chelmsford, MA) added a score with 2:36 to go, pulling Clarkson to within two goals, 4-2.

In the third period, the Golden Knights pulled to within a goal on three different occasions, but were unable to find the next gear to get the equalizer. Geneseo outscored Clarkson 4-2 in the final period to hold off the Golden Knights and earn the win.

Esposito led Clarkson with two goals, while Matt McCabe (Syracuse, NY), John Devine (Orchard Park, NY), Bryan Huff (Hillsborough, NJ), Kyle Kasprzyk (Orchard Park, NY), and Gollands each tallied a goal. McCabe also added two assists and a team-best four groundballs. Devine and Mike Simmons (Clinton, CT) also produced one assist each. Geneseo was led by Craig Lange’s four goals and two assists, and six other players scored one goal for the Blue Knights.

Freshman Kyle Hohmann (Rochester, NY) played 60 minutes in net for Clarkson, making 9 saves. Dennis Costanza held off the Clarkson offense with 14 saves. The Golden Knights led in shots (30-29), but trailed in groundballs (34-28).