EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University men's lacrosse team fell behind 5-0 to start its game as it fell by a 20-10 final to Misericordia University in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom action on Wednesday afternoon.

The Colonels fell to 3-8 overall and 0-3 in MAC Freedom play.

Misericordia started the scoring with five consecutive goals through the first 11:05.

Wilkes ended the run with two straight goals to finish the first quarter. Freshman Connor Daly (Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Twp.) scored unassisted with 1:25 remaining and junior Nicholas Ruggiero (Califon, NJ/Voorhees) netted an unassisted tally with just two seconds left to cut the deficit to 5-2.

The Cougars opened the game in the second quarter, totaling 11 goals to take a 16-2 lead into halftime.

Sophomore John Wink (Glenside, Pa./Abington) opened the second half with an assist from junior Jeremy Kachel (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) just 57 seconds into the second half to make the score 16-3.

Misericordia recorded back-to-back goals to go up 18-3 before the Colonels started to fight back.

Wilkes outscored the Cougars 7-2 to finish the game, with goals coming from Daly (3:14 third quarter), Wink (14:41 fourth quarter), Ruggiero (12:47 fourth quarter), Kachel (11:58 fourth quarter), sophomore Matthew Bush (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Jefferson Twp.) (6:29 fourth quarter, 3:40 fourth quarter), and Daly (Kachel, 2:55 fourth quarter).

Freshman Carter Whittemore (Rochester, NY/West Irondequoit) made 14 saves in the game before being replaced by freshman Cody Geidel (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) to start the second half, who made five saves.

The Colonels return to action next Wednesday when they will travel to DeSales for a 7:00 p.m. MAC Freedom game.