WHEELING, W.Va. (Feb. 17) - The Wheeling Jesuit University men's lacrosse team nearly overcame a five-goal second half deficit in a 10-8 loss to Molloy Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game at Bishop Schmitt Field.

The Cardinals fall to 0-3 overall, while the Lions improve their mark to 1-1 this season.

Seniors Michael Schonhiutt (Westerville, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) and Travis Getz (Calgary, Alberta/William Aberheart) each scored twice to lead the team in defeat.

Sophomore goalkeeper PJ Campion (McLean, Va./McLean) established a new career-high with 17 saves on 27 shots on-goal (.630 save percentage) to help keep the score close late in the game.

Molloy controlled the first quarter of the game, largely due to its success on face-offs. The Lions scored the game's first five goals, before a man-up marker by Getz near the final minute made the score 5-1 heading into the second period. Both teams traded empty possessions in the second quarter, with the lone goal coming early on to give Molloy a 6-1 lead at halftime.

The two squads traded goals in the first five minutes of the second half to make the score 7-2. The Cardinals grabbed momentum late in the period when senior Phillip Burns (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) notched a man-up goal to draw within four, 7-3, heading into the fourth quarter.

Another man-up goal to open the final frame by freshman Noah Larouere (Bethal Park, Pa./Bethal Park) and Getz's second goal of the day with 13:40 left in the game brought Wheeling Jesuit within two, 7-5, with 13:40 left in the game.

Molloy ended the run with three of the next four goals to re-establish a 10-6 lead with less than four minutes remaining on the clock. The Cardinals notched two more goals in the final three minutes, but the Lions were able to run the clock out and secure the win.

Molloy kept the pressure on the Wheeling Jesuit by winning 15 of the 20 face-offs in the contest. The Lions held a 51 to 24 advantage in total shots, including a 27 to 18 edge in shots on goal.

The Cardinals earned 11 man-up opportunities courtesy of Molloy penalties, but were only able to convert on three of those chances.

Wheeling Jesuit hits the road on Saturday, February 23 when they visit Philadelphia to take on Chestnut Hill for a non-conference bout at 1 p.m.