Close Game Ends in, 12-9 Defeat for Firebirds

SPARKILL, NY – The University of the District of Columbia men's lacrosse team fell to East Coast Conference rivals St. Thomas Aquinas, 12-9 on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Field.

The Firebirds (7-3, 1-1 ECC) started the game strong with a 4-2 lead in the 1st quarter, however, a 2nd and 3rd quarter drop saw UDC fall to their ECC foe. The Firebirds were led by senior LaRon Hinton with four goals, and that takes him past the UDC record of career points set by Chase Frazier (106) with 110 goals thus far. Sophomore Alan Singleton added two goals and one assist.

Teilen Celentano continued his impressive form winning 19-of-22 face-offs to place third in the nation on face-off winning percentage with .754 and including 12 ground balls.

St. Thomas Aquinas was lead by Tyler Senatore with four goals and Joseph Nyemchek had three goals to give the Spartans the victory.

A 3rd quarter fight back by the Spartans saw them score three back-to-back goals early on to make it 8-5, and a quick response by the Firebirds saw Hinton and Singleton pull two back before St. Thomas Aquinas put distance between them and UDC taking the 3rd quarter 10-7.

Nyemchek saw two straight goals in the 4th quarter to give the Spartans a 12-7 lead and two late goals by the Firebirds saw their chance of a fight back over with the final score, 12-9.

Next, UDC face ECC rivals Mercy College, Saturday, April 7th at 2PM.