ANNVILLE (PA) – The Delaware Valley University men's lacrosse team opened its 2018 season with a 9-6, non-conference loss at Lebanon Valley College on Saturday.

The Aggies, who are now in their fourth season of intercollegiate play, trailed 4-1 after the first quarter before scoring three times to start the second. The run began as they were a man up and Matthew Laurence scored off an assist from Matt Waibel with 12:39 on the clock. Waibel, a freshman, then set up senior Nick Shendge for a tally with 7:07 remaining. Three minutes later, senior Chris Coyle connected for the second time on the day to make it a 4-4 contest.

The Flying Dutchmen ended the spurt as Kevin Beaver got his third goal of the game with 2:52 left, but DelVal was up a man again when Eddie Smith took a pass from PJ Rafferty and connected with 92 seconds to go before halftime.

Lebanon Valley controlled the third quarter, scoring three times for an 8-5 advantage. The Aggies made it interesting when Coyle found the net again, this time off a feed from Laurence with a man up with 4:31 remaining. However, Beaver scored for a fifth time with 1:33 left to seal the win.

DelVal held a 33-29 advantage in shots and were strong in clears with a 15-for-17 showing. The squad also won 13 of 19 faceoffs and were 3-for-6 in extra man opportunities. Coyle had three on six shots. Laurence and Waibel notched two points apiece. Orterro Felton and Alex Hardy caused two turnovers apiece and combined for four ground balls. Bryan Thompson was 11-for-17 in the faceoff circle. Gavin Yingling stopped seven shots in net.

Beaver's five goals came on six shots for the Flying Dutchmen. He also added three ground balls. Coleman Wagner scooped up five ground balls while Cameron Epple made 17 saves in the win.

The Aggies will travel to Arcadia University for the annual Battle For The Bucks-Mont Hammer contest on Friday, March 2 (7 p.m.).