Pride fall to fourth ranked Aquinas College in season opener

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Opening their 2023 season, the Clarke University men's lacrosse team opened up against the fourth ranked Aquinas College Saints and were unable to stop their offensive attack in a 31-5 loss at Burrows Field.

Pride midfielder Matt Archer evened the score at one with 12:37 left in the opening quarter, but the Saints would be responsible for the next 22 goals going into the third quarter before the Pride would score next.

CU senior, Connor Cole ended the scoring drought with 9:11 left to play in the third quarter on a pass from Justyse White, his second assist of the game. Thirty seconds later, Archer would score his second goal of the game off a feed from Cole.

In the final quarter, Cole would find the net once again and senior Nick Lindsay would round out the scoring for Clarke.

Aquinas would have 13 different scorers as Zachary Sweet led the way with five. Jon Jardis and Hunter Roberts would each bury four goals. Dean Cooper, Mitch Haggert, and Brady Waling each scored three times.

In net playing all 60-minutes for the Pride was freshman Jack Fritz as he saved 20 of 51 shots, while the Saints would play four different goalies. Clayton Boerigter made the start in net and played just over 20 minutes, making one save.

Pride men's lacrosse will have a quick turnaround as they'll face Missouri Baptist University tomorrow starting at 3:00 pm at Burrows Field.