Although the Muhlenberg men’s lacrosse team won’t be headed to the Centennial Conference playoffs this season, it has made a point to stay positive and not give up.

The Mules are holding their heads up high after a 12-8 win against McDaniel and hope to go out on a high note for their seniors when they close out the season against Ursinus at home in two weeks.

“We’re playing for respect, we’re playing for pride, and we’re playing for Muhlenberg College,” said sophomore Andrew Lolley.

WOMEN’S LAX LOSES TO GARNET The Muhlenberg women’s lacrosse team held a 13-7 lead late in the game, but Swarthmore came back to rattle off seven straight goals in the final 14 minutes. The 14-13 loss drops the Mules to 8-4 on the season and 2-4 in the Centennial Conference. Swarthmore improves to 8-6 overall and 1-4 in the CC. Junior Taylor Armstrong led the Mules with five points on four goals and one assist, and sophomore Sara Hiller added a hat trick. On the defensive end, senior Kelli Sakonchick picked up seven ground balls, and sophomore Caroline Shadood made 14 saves in goal. Click here for box score.

“We’re also still trying to establish ourselves as a strong lacrosse program, and the Ursinus game is the next step.”

Until then, Muhlenberg (6-5, 2-5) will enjoy the success it had against McDaniel.

After falling behind 4-2 at halftime and then giving up the first goal of the second half to the Green Terror (6-5, 1-4), the Mules reeled in five of the next six to close out the third quarter with the lead, 7-6.

Muhlenberg’s final three goals in that stretch were notched by Lolley, who finished the game with his second hat trick of the season.

“All of my goals were assisted, so that means I was getting good looks,” said Lolley, who received one pass from senior Sean Toohill and the other two from junior Mickey Norton. “I wanted to make some good plays on offense since our defense had been playing so well for us.”

Junior Tim Martin scored his first goal of the season on a man-up opportunity early in the first quarter. Muhlenberg went 3-for-5 in man-up situations today.

The defense was led, in part, by senior Kyle Hart, who was one of four Muhlenberg players to each record three ground balls. Freshman Andrew Bell, another one of the four, also made 12 saves in goal.

The fourth quarter progressed similarly to the third, as McDaniel opened with a score and then Muhlenberg again countered by netting five of the next six goals, this time to seal the game, 12-8.

It was during the final rally that Norton dished the last of his season-high four assists, and with his six points on the game, he moves into third place all-time at Muhlenberg with 94 career points. Freshman Ari Jacobson was also instrumental, as he scored both of his goals in the fourth quarter to double his season total.

“After the game I was a feeling a little bit frustrated because I wish we could have played like this all year,” Lolley said. “Today just showed us what we’re capable of when we do play well. We all have confidence in each other and support each other, and today that really showed through.”

The Mules will have one last chance to show what they can do at the Ursinus game, which also happens to be Senior Night at Scotty Wood Stadium.

“We want these seniors to go out remembering the team they played with,” Lolley said. “We want them to remember that no one gave up.”

Click here for box score.