Muhlenberg men's lacrosse was not going to lose its undefeated start without a fight, and the team did just that, making a furious comeback attempt late against Haverford that ultimately fell just short in an 11-9 loss.
 
Trailing 11-6 with under two minutes remaining, the Mules (8-1, 0-1 CC) kicked into high gear on offense, starting with a goal from freshman Ethan Grossman off a pass from sophomore Jack Colt with 1:33 left. Grossman netted another goal just five seconds later after sophomore Frankie Feaster won the ensuing faceoff and dished to Grossman.
 
Senior Niko Del Moro provided another goal with 1:02 remaining to bring the Mules within two, but the Fords (4-4, 1-1 CC) denied the next Mule shot and cleared the ball before running out the clock.
 
The loss snapped Muhlenberg's eight-game winning streak to begin the season, tied for the longest winning streak in program history. Entering the game, Muhlenberg was one of only seven remaining unbeaten teams in Division III.
 
Grossman tied his career high with five goals in the contest to lead Muhlenberg, running his season point total to 39, just three shy of tying the school freshman record. Del Moro (pictured above) added three points, scoring twice and assisting on a third goal, to move his career total to 60 points.
 
Grossman gave Muhlenberg the early lead on his first goal less than two minutes into the game. Haverford then ripped off four straight goals to close the first period, but Grossman answered with back-to-back goals to start the second period, including a no-look, behind-the-back shot that made it 4-2 at the time.
 
The Fords scored the final goal of the half to take a 5-3 lead into halftime, but the Mules worked quickly to tie the game, with Colt and freshman Nate Emrick each netting goals in the first five minutes of the third quarter.
 
Haverford, however, rallied for five straight goals before Del Moro ended the run with a goal with 11:25 left in the fourth period.
 
Feaster finished 13-for-22 on faceoffs and picked up 10 ground balls to lead the Mules. Sophomore Frank Caterina and freshman Christopher Hyde each caused two turnovers to lead the defense.
 
Senior Lance Gibson made his first start of the season in goal and finished with eight saves.