RALEIGH, N.C. – The Marymount University men's lacrosse team traveled to William Peace University on Sunday evening to open the 2020 season, falling in a close matchup, 14-12.

Senior Michael Burns opened the scoring for the Saints' first goal of 2020 less than five minutes into the game. He took a pass from freshman Will Strausbaugh to grab the first lead of the game, 1-0.

However, the Pacer answered with the final three goals of the first period and the first of the second to take a 4-1 edge, with 13:41 left to play in the first half.

Marymount found its groove in the remainder of the second quarter, as sophomore Hunter Ralston found the back of the cage twice in nine seconds to bring the deficit to 4-3.

Freshman Chris Clark found junior Clark Akers for Akers' first score of the season to tie the score, and Ralston netted his third goal of the quarter, in a man-down situation, to take the lead, 5-4.

Each team scored two-more goals in the final seven minutes of the half, with Ralston tallying his fourth and Clark scoring the first of his career for the Saints. By outscoring the Pacers, 6-3, in the second quarter, Marymount took a 7-6 lead into halftime.

At the break, Marymount held a 22-18 advantage in shots and a 21-19 edge in ground balls. Each team won seven face-offs in the first half.

Following nearly nine minutes of scoreless play to start the second half, the Saints extended their lead to 9-6 in the third quarter, as Ralston put away two-more scores less than a minute apart. He finished the game with eight goals to lead the team and set a career high.

The Pacers scored three goals in the final two minutes of the quarter to tie the game, 9-9, heading into the final frame.

Two goals to start the quarter gave the Pacers an 11-9 lead, which they would hold for good.

Burns cut the lead to one with his second goal, but the teams traded scores through the rest of the game, with the Saints unable to complete the comeback. Ralston tallied his final two in the quarter.

Ralston's eight points led the team, while Clark tallied seven on a goal and six assists.

Sophomore Brandon Hall made the start in goal for the Saints, making 12 saves in 60 minutes in the cage.

Marymount will take a week off, before traveling to Shenandoah University on Saturday, February 22 for its next game; the opening face-off is set for 1 p.m.