MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta men's lacrosse team took a quick lead but could not withstand the Fighting Muskies' attack in the second half, dropping a conference matchup to Muskingum University, 12-4, Tuesday (March 31) evening. The Pioneers fall to 5-6 overall and 1-3 in the OAC. Muskingum improves to 5-6 on the season and 2-1 in the OAC.

"Disappointing result tonight," said Marietta head coach Nathan Grover.  "We did not execute or play to our team's potential so this one stings.  We have to be better as a collective and will address the mistakes made so we can continue to attack our team goals in the OAC."
 
Marietta came out invigorated and scored a goal in the first 90 seconds as Ryan Kenney (Edgemere, Md./Archbishop Curley) pounded the cage for a score.  After a few minutes of game pay, the Pioneers added a score as Nathan Hamilton (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) increased the lead to two.  Muskingum finally got on the board at the 6:51 mark as James Krusinsk slipped a shot by Pioneer goalkeeper Cal Henthorne (Wooster, Ohio/St. Edward).  They then tied it with less than two minutes left as Tyler Workman got the score.  Marietta got a score from Dominic Cimarolli (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) in the final seconds and took a 3-2 lead going into the second period.
 
After seven minutes of scoreless play to begin the second, the Muskies broke through as William Swift tied the game with a score.  Both teams battled for the remainder of the period but Chipper Iacobucci to put in the go-ahead score at the 2:00 minute mark put the score at 4-3, Muskingum leading at the half.  
 
Muskingum extended the lead with three scores in the third period, two from Evan Cosgrove, to take control of the matchup.  Tommy Imhof (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) briefly slowed the momentum with a score, but the Muskies tacked on two more scores in the closing minutes and took a 9-4 lead into the final period.
 
Marietta was held scoreless in the final period, but Workman added a pair of scores and Iacobucci scored once more for Muskingum would go on to claim the 12-4 conference victory.
  
Henthorne faced 22 shots on goal, recording ten saves.
 
Marietta will return to Don Drumm Stadium this Friday (April 3) to battle Ohio Northern University for a 1:00 p.m. faceoff. 
 
Fans can follow all of the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.