STEUBENVILLE – The Franciscan men's lacrosse team faced off against Alfred State at home Saturday afternoon, and despite a second-half comeback push, the Barons fell to the Pioneers, 14-4.
 
Trailing 10-2 halfway through the third quarter, senior captain Dan McCartney scored his first goal of the game as he got the ball from sophomore William Muraski and finished a successful clear and went straight to the cage. McCartney fired the ball past the Pioneer keeper to cut the lead to 10-3 with 7:48 to play. The Pioneers got the goal back and added another to take a 12-3 lead with 2:59 to play in the third.
 
 With 1:48 left in the quarter, Franciscan's goalie sophomore Grant McKeown took a one-minute penalty and McCartney stepped up as a captain to fill in as the keeper. The senior stopped the only shot he faced 16 seconds into the man-down situation for Franciscan before the Barons took over thanks to a Pioneer turnover. McKeown served his penalty and was able to come back in with 10 seconds left in the quarter as the Barons were able to run out the clock.
 
After Alfred State put two more tallies on the board in the fourth, sophomore Nicholas Brierely picked up his first goal of the season as freshman Gavin Brown tossed the ball to Brierely in front of the net after he caused a turnover for the man-up goal with 6:20 to play.
 
Franciscan was able to keep the Pioneers from taking a shot in the final 6:20 of game play but could not capitalize on their offensive opportunities as Alfred State pulled out the 14-4 win.
 
The Pioneers opened up an 8-0 lead in the first half before freshman Peter Laville scored his first career goal with 7:52 to play in the second quarter. Alfred State pushed its lead back to 9-1 but Laville took advantage of a Pioneer turnover and netted his second goal of the game thanks to an assist from McCartney to cut the lead to 9-2 at the half.
 
Franciscan was led by Laville with two goals while McCartney had a goal and an assist. McKeown made 11 saves in net for the Barons. Muraski led the Barons with three caused turovers while scooping up six ground balls.
 
The Barons continue their home stand as they welcome Marietta to Memorial Field on Wednesday for a 4:00 pm contest.