WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson men's lacrosse team took their first loss of the season Saturday as the Muskingum Fighting Muskies rode an early lead to record a 10-7 victory Saturday afternoon at Alexandre Stadium. 

The Presidents started out this weekend non-conference matchup hot getting out to a quick 2-0 lead thanks to some aggressive offense early on. Paul Shook (Camp Hill, Pa. / Trinity) scored first for the Presidents after a turnover caused by James Deiuliis (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Upper Saint Clair) on the defensive side of the field. The second goal for the Presidents was tallied by junior attack Zach Mey (Bridgeville, Pa. / South Fayette) off of another turnover generated by the W&J defensive back line. After the 2-0 run by the Presidents, the Muskies would be quick to respond and flip the script on W&J as they would quickly gain the lead for the first time in the matchup carrying a 3-2 into the second quarter.

As each team entered the second quarter, the Muskies continued their rhythm as they tacked on three more goals to make it 6-2. Shortly after the Muskies sixth goal, Mey would find the back of the net for the second time off of the assist by Deiuliis thanks to more stout defense by captain Nathan Petrarco (North Huntingdon, Pa. / Norwin). Shortly after the Presidents and Muskies would trade goal sequences as Muskingum's Jack Watts scored in a man-up scenario. The Presidents added their fourth goal to the box score after a strong goal by junior Sean McCaffrey (Silver Spring, Md. / Albert Einstein), which was assisted by Mey. The Presidents trailed at half by an 8-4 score.

The third quarter was slow offensively for both units as they would trade goals once again. The Presidents goal was scored by McCaffrey again as he found a lane for the score. W&J would still carry a four point deficit heading into the fourth quarter as they continued their attempt to inch back into the game, 9-5. 

The Presidents would attempt to make the comeback with two late goals by Parker Lucas (Delmar, Del. / Delmar) and Austin Hopkins (Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield) but to no avail as the Muskies held on late.

W&J lost the face-off battle by a 14-6 margin. Deiuliis caused six turnovers while Nathan Petrarco added three caused turnovers. 

Henry Beardwood (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum School) tallied six saves but was netted with the loss. Noah Bracco (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Pittsburgh Central Catholic) was strong in the second half, as he posted 11 saves and allowed just two goals over the final 30 minutes. 

The Presidents will travel to Marietta this week as they will take on the Pioneers for a non-conference matchup. Face off is scheduled for 7 p.m.