The University of Mary Washington men's lacrosse team used a strong defensive effort to defeat Susquehanna University, 10-4, on Saturday afternoon at the Battleground. The Eagles improve to 5-4 on the season, and the four goals allowed was the fewst UMW has allowed in two seasons.

The Eagles started the scoring, with senior Jackson Popeck scoring on an Owen Castleman assist at 9:49 in the first quarter, and Ryan Adams upped the advantage to 2-0 with 5:31 remaining, and the Eagles held a 2-0 lead at the first quarter final horn.

UMW added another to start the second quarter scoring, as Henry Moag scored on a Logan Cardwell assist at 13:26. After the River Hawks got on the scoreboard at 10:04, the Eagles responded with goals from Ethan Castleman at 4:19 and Brady Leischner at 1:25 to take the momentum (and a 5-1 lead) to halftime.

Susquehanna scored the first goal of the third quarter, but the Eagles pulled away by netting four straight to end the frame. Cardwell started the run on a Jackson Rhodes assist at 9:02, and Ethan Castleman followed with a man-up score at 5:17 on a Popeck pass. Moag added his second of the day at 2:47, and Dave Votapek reached the scoring column with 1:58 remaining.

The Eagles started the fourth with Popeck scoring unassisted with 9:48 left, before allowing a pair of goals down the stretch for the 10-4 final.

Mary Washington led in shots, 45-25, and ground balls, 33-27. Junior goalkeeper Wyatt Martin turned in a strong effort, allowing three goals while making eight saves. Ryan D'Angelo posted a pair of saves in the final 6:11. Nathan Turney had six ground balls and three caused turnovers and Keegan Shipe scored four ground balls and five caused turnovers.

The Eagles will be back in action next Saturday at Marymount University at 1:00 p.m.