ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. - Despite two goals each from Andrew Messner (Wakefield, R.I.) and freshman James Peters (Medway, Mass.), the Saint Anselm College men's lacrosse team fell by a 7-6 margin to the Lions of Molloy College Saturday afternoon.  With the non-conference victory for Molloy, the Lions improve to 1-0 on the season while the Hawks fall to 0-1 in their season-opener.

For Molloy, Anthony Marino capped off a hat trick with his game-winning man-up goal with only two minutes remaining in the contest, breaking the 6-6 deadlock with his third goal of the season.  Within the second half of the contest, the Hawks were outscored by a 4-to-1 margin as Saint Anselm carried a 5-3 lead into the half.

Peters scored his first collegiate goal to open the scoring for Saint Anselm with 10:42 remaining in the first half, knotting the score at one apiece.  Senior midfielder Tyler Steinetz (Sparta, N.J.) and Messner added the next two goals of the game to lift Saint Anselm to a 3-1 lead.  Two quick Molloy strikes were countered by goals from freshman Andy Budz (Williamstown, Mass.) and Messner to enter the half.

Hawks goaltender Jonathon O'Reilly (Plano, Texas) drew the loss, his first of the season, by allowing seven goals on 17 shots on net.  For Molloy, netminder Tommy Bruno collected his first victory of the season by halting three shots on net and allowing five goals.

The Hawks were 1-for-6 with their extra-man opportunities.  Molloy converted 3-of-7 chances with the extra player.

Saint Anselm returns to action Monday, Feb. 27 as they travel to face-off against the Bears of the New York Institute of Technology in a 3:00 p.m. contest.