Box Score Salem, VA – The John Carroll men's lacrosse team dropped its season opener against Roanoke College 20-14 on Saturday afternoon.

The Blue Streaks fall to 0-1 on the year, while the Maroons improve to 3-2 and currently are receiving votes in the USA Lacrosse Magazine which only ranks the top-20 teams in the nation.

After putting together, a memorable 2022 season, which included winning their sixth-straight Ohio Athletic Conference Championship and defeating North Central College 11-3 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Blue and Gold came out strong outscoring Roanoke 6-3 in the first stanza.

Morgan Morrell scored the first goal of the 2023 campaign and did not slow down from there. The senior from Pickerington assisted on a goal scored by Colin Morrissey, then found the back of the net twice, to give the Blue Streaks a 5-2 lead with under three minutes left in the first period.

After 15 minutes of action JCU held a 6-3 advantage, but the Maroons would show why they are closing in on a top-20 national ranking.

Luca Docking of Roanoke scored two goals within 60 seconds cutting the Blue Streak lead to one goal. However, Michael Bevington stopped the scoring spurt for the time being, giving JCU a 7-5 edge.

The Maroons would score four unanswered goals and regain the lead 9-7, but the Blue Streaks held strong as Morrell and Matt Berdysiak each scored goals to tie the game at nine a piece.

At the intermission, Roanoke held an 11-9 lead over the Blue Streaks. The Maroons started the second half with a goal to take a three-goal advantage.

JCU continued to fight as Cam Cecere and Berdysiak each found the back of the net cutting the deficit to one goal.

Unfortunately, for John Carroll that would be the closest the game would get as the Maroons would pull away and claim the victory.

Morrell led JCU with five goals and one assist, while Berdysiak tallied three goals. Senior Jon Gaglio put up a valiant effort in net recording 20 saves on the afternoon.

John Carroll will be back in action on Friday March 10^th against Colorado College at 6 p.m. (Mountain Time)