SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Lynn University men's lacrosse team fell short in a hard-fought Sunshine State Conference slug-fest as the Blue and White were defeated 12-8 by Saint Leo on Saturday afternoon. Despite a balanced attack headlined by a game-high four goals from Mitch Rini, the Fighting Knights couldn't overcome the Lions' sustained scoring run.
 

Following the loss, Lynn dropped to 6-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
 

- Lynn got on the board early when Rini opened the scoring at 11:34 of the first period with an assist from Jackson Cutter, giving the Fighting Knights an initial 1-0 lead 

- Saint Leo quickly responded with three goals to close the first quarter, 3-1 

- In the second period Ethan McKinley's goal helped narrow the gap with 12:57 on the clock, 3-2 

- After the Lions scored two quick goals, Rini scored with 1:42 left in the second to kick-start the Blue and White's momentum 

- A quick strike from Mario Leone and a third goal from Rini brought the contest leveled at 5-5 with 9:54 left of play in the third period 

- The Lions scored five consecutive goals to close out the third period, 10-5 

- Lynn's Dom Veratti and Connor Houston chipped in with crucial goals to keep their team in the game, 10-7 with 12:55 to play in the fourth 

- Rini put away his fourth goal of the game but it wasn't enough as Saint Leo secured the 12-8 victory

- Mitch Rini scored a game-high four goals 

- There are now five Fighting Knights with double-digit goals this season: Houston (13), Leone (12), Cutter (10), Brian Hoskins (10) and Rini (10) 

- Lynn out-shot Saint Leo 45-42 

- The Blue and White earned a game-high 24 clears 

- Hoskins, Tyler Van Wart and Cutter each had a game-high of eight shots 

- Rini, Hoskins and Leone each had six shots on goal 

- Hunter Klosterman posted 11 saves between the sticks, totaling 87 this season
 

- The Fighting Knights will host their next SSC opponent Embry-Riddle on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00 pm