Early goals, strong crunch-time defense and a game-winning score from senior Niko Del Moro provided Muhlenberg men's lacrosse with a 10-9 Centennial Conference victory over Swarthmore.
 
The Mules (9-2, 1-2 CC) tallied all five goals of the opening period in taking an early lead. The Garnet (6-4, 1-3 CC) climbed back to within a goal, but the Mule defense held its ground in the second half, forcing seven turnovers that included two in the final two minutes.
 
Del Moro netted Muhlenberg's first goal of the game and also scored its most important goal, finding the back of the net off a pass from freshman Ethan Grossman for what proved to be the game-winning score with 3:11 remaining.
 
Swarthmore later scored with 1:53 left and won the ensuing faceoff. The Garnet tried to set up a tying goal, but freshman Michael Fodi caused a critical turnover and picked up the ensuing ground ball. Swarthmore gained possession once more, and the Mule defense forced another turnover, with Fodi again picking up the ground ball that allowed the Mules to clear the ball and this time win the game.
 
Muhlenberg is now one win away from tying the program record for wins in a season, set in 2008 when the team finished 10-5 and made the CC playoffs.
 
Grossman led the Mules with four points, assisting three goals and scoring one. Grossman now has 50 points this season, becoming the 25th player in Muhlenberg history with at least 50 career points. Del Moro and sophomore Bobby McLoughlin each finished with three points, and Del Moro became the 13th different Mule to score 50 career goals.
 
McLoughlin assisted on a goal by freshman Thomas Murphy before scoring a goal of his own to make it 3-0 in the first period. Grossman continued the Muhlenberg run by assisting freshman Nate Emrick on a score before tallying his own goal.
 
The Garnet scored the next four to make it 5-4, but sophomore Scott Fayan scored two straight goals for the Mules to make it 7-4. Swarthmore again cut the lead to one before Emrick netted his second goal off a McLoughlin assist. Sophomore Jack Colt then scored his eighth goal of the season off a nice feed from senior Joey Hess.
 
Sophomore Garrett Pope saved five shots, including three in the second half, in earning his ninth victory of the season. Del Moro and sophomore Frankie Feaster each collected four ground balls and freshman Alexander Giaquinto caused two turnovers to lead the Mules.