SPARKILL, NEW YORK - Despite building a pair of two-goal leads in the first half, the American International College men's lacrosse team dropped a 13-6 decision to Saint Thomas Aquinas College in a nonconference matchup.
FAST FACTS:
Final Score: STAC 13, AIC 6
Location: Spartan Field, Sparkill, New York
Records: AIC drops to 1-2 overall; the Spartans start the year 1-0.
TOP PERFORMERS:
STAC:
Briele Caples: Five goals, one assist
Tyler Senatore: Three goals, three ground balls
Joseph Nyemchek: Two goals
Ryan Mello: Win (1-0), 11 saves
AIC:
Quinn Caesar: Two goals, one assist
Matt Quinlan: One goal, two assists
Jack McIntyre: Two goals, two ground balls, one caused turnover
Rawill Herrera: One goal
Jack Shaughnessy: Two assists, game-high five ground balls
Jacob Ortiz: Loss (1-2), 13 saves
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• AIC jumped on the Spartans early in the first, as sophomore attacker Matt Quinlan and freshman attacker Rawill Herrera each struck inside of the first five minutes. The hosts did get one back, only to have junior midfielder Quinn Caesar strike at 12:26 for a 3-1 edge. However, two goals in the final minute by the Spartans tied the game 3-3 after 15 minutes.
• In the second frame, AIC once again built a lead; senior attack Jack McIntyre scored back-to-back goals for a 5-3 advantage. But again, the Spartans stormed back late, scoring a tying goal with just five seconds left in the frame to send the game to the half 5-5.
• The home team flipped the script in the third, scoring a pair of goals in a 24-second span. They would add two more before the quarter expired and held a 9-5 lead heading into the final period.
• AIC did get one back early, as Caesar's second cut the deficit to 9-6, but that was as close as it would get again; the Spartans scored the last four goals for the 13-6 final.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT:

• The Yellow Jackets found themselves down a man six times in the game, and killed off all six shorthanded situations.
• Opponents are now a combined 0-for-11 while in an extra-man opportunity against the Yellow Jackets; the 100 percent success rate is tied for the best in the nation.

NEXT UP:

• The Yellow Jackets open conference play on Saturday, March 3 with a home tilt against the Adelphi Panthers at 3 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED:

• For more updates about the AIC men's lacrosse team, follow @AIC_Lacrosse on Twitter and @jacketslacrosse on Instagram, and like American International Men's Lacrosse on Facebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow @AICAthletics on Twitter and Instagram, and like AIC Yellow Jackets on Facebook.