The University of Mary Washington men's lacrosse team dropped a 9-8 decision at Catholic University on Wednesday night in Washington, D.C. The Eagles slip to 4-4 on the season.

UMW stormed ahead in the first quarter, outscoring their hosts, 3-0, in the opening 15 minutes. After a quiet first half of the quarter, junior James Milligan scored with 7:19 remaining. Immediately after, senior Dave Votapek scored on a Jacob Fowler assist following a successful faceoff win. Votapek scored again with 5:46 left on a Tanner Boone assist.

The Cardinals turned the tables in the second quarter, scoring four straight in the first 9:22. The Eagles re-tied the score at 4-4 at 5:35, as Brady Leischner scored on a Votapek assist, but the Cards scored twice in the final seconds to give them a 6-4 lead at halftime.

After Catholic scored the only goal of the third quarter, CUA added another to open the fourth. UMW then went on a run, scoring three straight over 1:28, to pull to within one. Boone scored on a Quinn Weaver assist at 8:27, and Jackson Rhodes followed at 7:39. Reece Stone got the Eagles to within 8-7 at 6:59, but Catholic answered with a score at 1:59. Stone scored on a Votapek assist with 53 seconds to go, but the Eagles weren't able to pull even in the final seconds.

The Eagles led in shots, 44-37, as well as ground balls, 38-27. Eagles 'keeper Ryan D'Angelo made 16 saves in defeat.

UMW will be back in action on March 21 at Marymount University at 1:00 p.m.