BALTIMORE – Rutgers men's lacrosse battled back in the second half against No. 11 Loyola, turning a 7-3 halftime deficit into a lead with a five-goal scoring run. However, the Greyhounds scored the last two goals, taking a 11-10 victory.

Rutgers scored on 38 percent of its shots, while Loyola scored on just 22 percent of its shots. Loyola committed 15 turnovers to just 11 for the Scarlet Knights, but the Greyhounds were able to capitalize on a larger amount of possessions, outshooting the visitors 48-26.

STATS

David Sprock led the Scarlet Knights with career-highs in goals (four), assists (two) and points (six). Kieran Mullins added two goals, while Ryan Gallagher, Brennan Kamish, Tommy Coyne and Owen Mead each had a goal. Goalkeeper Stephen Russo made a season-high 16saves. Zach Masessa led RU with three ground balls and two caused turnovers. The Scarlet Knights outscored Loyola 7-4 in the second half.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Loyola controlled the opening stretches, holding a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. Tommy Coyne opened the scoring for Rutgers 21 minutes in. That kickstarted the RU offense, who scored three goals in a three-minute span to get within one goal at 4-3. Loyola finished the half with the next two goals, taking a 7-3 halftime lead.

The third quarter belonged to the visitors, as RU outscored the Greyhounds 4-0 in the third. Owen Mead opened the second half scoring, then tallies from Ryan Gallagher and two scores from Sprock had the game tied at 7-7 after 45 minutes of action.

To start the fourth quarter, it was Sprock scoring again, with his fourth tally of the game giving Rutgers the lead for the first time at 8-7. Loyola answered, halting the five-goal RU run and tying the game at 8-8.

That started a feverish streak of back-to-back scoring. Kieran Mullins had the next goal, putting Rutgers ahead 9-8 with his second tally of the game. Loyola then answered for a tie at 9-9. Brennan Kamish scored to put Rutgers ahead 10-9. Against Loyola answered. But it was Loyola's goal with 1:53 remaining that would be the final tally of the day, as Rutgers' offense was unable to find one last score at the end.

NOTABLE

• David Sprock had his second hat trick of the season
• He finished with a career-high four goals, two assists and six points
• Sprock now leads the team with 13 points on the year and is tied with Ryan Gallagher and Adam Charalambides for the team-lead with nine goals.
• Stephen Russo made 16 saves, a season-high and one away from matching his career-high.
• Cole Daninger and Zach Masessa each caused two turnovers. Masessa had a team-high three ground balls.
• Freshman Ross Scott made his first career start at midfield.
• Cole Daninger had a career-high two caused turnovers. 

UP NEXT

Rutgers returns home next weekend to host Stony Brook. That game starts at noon, a double-header followed by a women's lacrosse game.