Trailing 3-0 after the first quarter, the Clarkson University Lacrosse team outscored fourth-ranked RIT over the remaining 45 minutes, but it was not enough as the Golden Knights fell 7-5 on the road in their Liberty League opener on Saturday afternoon in Rochester.

After four straight games on the road, Clarkson will look to break out of a two-game losing skid when it opens a five-game home stand at Hantz Turf Field Wednesday by hosting Plattsburgh State in a 4:00 p.m. non-league contest. The Golden Knights stand at 4-2 overall. 

RIT, which improved its record to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Liberty League jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the opening 15 minutes. Clarkson scored the only goal of the second quarter with junior Brendon Shearin (Goffstown, NH) finishing off an assist from classmate Matt McCabe (Syracuse, NY).  

The Knights scored again to begin the second half with senior Bryan Huff’s (Hillsborough, NJ) goal. The Tigers sandwiched a pair of goals around junior Kyle Kasprzyk’s (Orchard Park, NY) tally to hold a 5-3 lead through three quarters. 

Clarkson traded goals again with RIT in the final frame with Shearin and senior Eric Gollands (Chelmsford, MA) connecting for the Green and Gold. 

Shearin and RIT’s Brendan MacDonald both scored a game-high two goals. McCabe finished with two assists for Clarkson. 

The Knights outshot the Tigers 45-34. Both teams picked up 28 ground balls each and won eight of 16 draws apiece. 

Junior Ryan Cole (Orchard Park, NY) made 10 saves, while Huff and sophomore Jack Keenan (Brasher Falls, NY) both recorded a team-high four ground balls.