SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College men's lacrosse team battled back from a four-goal deficit before falling 9-8 to the University of Bridgeport on Wednesday, February 22.

AIC is now 1-1 in 2023.

The Purple Knights burst out to a 3-0 first quarter lead and were up 4-0 before AIC's first goal in the second period, as Devon Walker set up Brian McGowan for a strike. Walker then scored off of a Stephen Stratton pass to get AIC within two. The Purple Knights netted one more before the break and led 5-2 at halftime.

In the second half, the guests went back up four, but AIC then went to work. Stratton started AIC's run with a goal and then set up Hunter Terlik. Rusty Stone then got in on the offense, scoring while drawing a penalty, before Sal Amaral tied it on the subsequent EMO with a finish on a pass by Terlik.

The fourth quarter was end-to-end. Stone countered an early Bridgeport goal with one of his own, and then after the Purple Knights retook the lead, Sal Amaral picked off a clearing pass and sent Anthony Boele in on a breakaway for his first collegiate goal. However, Bridgeport scored one more time, and that was the difference.

Hayden Gaudette made nine saves in the setback.

AIC will next play Caldwell University. The game, originally scheduled for February 25, will now be played Sunday, February 26 at 1:00 p.m. due to inclement weather expected on Saturday.