(Columbia, MD)It was a rainy day down in to start the men's lacrosse season, but the Lions prevailed with a 9-8 victory over #2 ranked Howard Community College.  

Nassau was down 2-1 after the first quarter as both teams were getting a feel for each other to start the game.  Nassau came back and scored four goals in the second quarter, three straight goals within two minutes and went into halftime with a 5-3 lead.  The third quarter went in the other direction in Howard's favor, with Howard scoring two goals to make the score 5-5 going into the fourth quarter.  Howard scored early in the fourth to take a 6-5 lead.  Nassau tied it on a man up goal to make it 6-6 a few minutes later.  Howard answered yet again less than two minutes later to take the lead 7-6.  On the ensuing Face-Off, Nassau scored a fast break goal just 8 seconds later to tie it at 7.  Nassau scored the next two goals in the fourth quarter to take a 9-7 lead with five minutes left.  After going back and forth on offense and defense, no team could find the back of the net.  With four seconds left, Howard threw a Hail Mary from half field and screened the goalie and scored to make the game 9-8.  With four seconds left, the Face-Off took place and Nassau kept the ball on the ground to win the game.  

Billy Kelly was outstanding in the cage with 24 saves.  Leading the back line on defense were Brian Schaefer, Taylor Jensen, Haze Rainis, Aidan Conk and Vinny DeCeglia.  Javon Jackson went 11/19 on Face-Offs for the Lions and came up big late in the game with some key victories.  On offense, freshman Justin Roderka paced the lions with 3 goals and 1 assist.  Also contributing on offense were sophomore Jack Mullen with 2 goals and 1 assist, sophomore Dylan Villari with 1 goal and 1 assist, freshman Eddie Munoz with 1 goal and 1 assist and sophomores Mike Kadnar and Evan Killen had 1 goal a piece.  Next the Lions take on #5 ranked Anne Arundel Community College tomorrow at 12:00 at Anne Arundel.