MEADVILLE, Pa. – Seven different Gators scored as Allegheny jumped out to a 7-0 lead after 30 minutes and never looked back in an 11-8 season-opening men's lacrosse win over Marietta at Frank B. Fuhrer Field.

In the third season of the program's existence, and what should be the first full season for Allegheny, the Gators open the year with a victory for the first time. Manning the crease for Allegheny was Eric Mirkovich (York, Pa./York Central), who made 13 saves in 60 minutes.

It didn't take long for newcomer CT Graniel (Scranton, Pa./Scranton Preparatory) to make an impact, scoring two of Allegheny's first three goals, including the lid-lifter 4:28 into play. That opening goal was assisted by Aidan D'Amato (Tolland, Conn./Tolland), who scored the second goal of the day unassisted at the 3:12 mark of the first quarter.

Graniel opened the scoring in the second period off a pass from Nicholas Cimillo (Palm Harbor, Fla./East Lake) 5:01 into the frame, and then assisted on Jack Cushwa's (Martinsburg, W. Va./Martinsburg) first career goal 45 seconds later. Just over one minute after Cushwa found the back of the net, he set up Aidan D'Amato to make it a 5-0 lead. Ryan Therkorn (Falls Church, Va./George C. Marshall) won the ensuing face-off and the Gators quickly attacked as Cassady Bouthet (Vernon, Conn./Rockville) raced down and scored after only 22 seconds had elapsed off a pass from Logan Sharp (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls). Sharp would assist on the final goal of the first half as well, this one coming from Benjamin Gallegos (Lafayette, Colo./Dawson School) with 2:37 to play and sent the Blue & Gold into the locker room ahead by seven.

Marietta struck first in the second half, needing just 26 seconds to light the scoreboard, but Allegheny responded with the next two scores to go ahead, 9-1. Nick Gralewski (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) tallied his first of two goals and then Cushwa added his second of the game. Before the third quarter was over, Marietta had scored twice more and Gralewski buried his second, and the Gators held the 10-3 advantage.

The Pioneers held a 5-1 advantage in the fourth quarter, with Allegheny's lone goal coming from Andrew Myers (Mars, Pa./North Allegheny), with the helper to Graniel, at the midway point of the period.

Allegheny was successful on 17-of-22 clear attempts and recorded 34 shots on the day. The Gators scooped up 23 ground balls and committed three less turnovers than the opponent at 19.

Bouthet and Ryan Mantione (East Northport, N.Y./John Glenn) both secured team highs with four ground balls. Mantione and Konrad Homiak (Hampstead, N.C./Topsail) tied for the game high with two caused turnovers apiece.

Allegheny returns to action in one week, traveling to Williamsport, Pa. for a 2 p.m. match against Lycoming on Saturday, March 5.