ERIE, Pa. -- The Allegheny College men's lacrosse team opened the 2025 campaign on the losing end of a 17-5 decision against Ohio Northern University on Saturday night at Mercyhurst University's Saxon Stadium.

The Polar Bears (2-1) netted the first five goals to jump ahead in the opening quarter, but the Gators (0-1) were able to settle things down in the second. Allegheny surrendered only one goal in the second quarter. After a pair from JP Rakis (Kensington, Md. /Walter Johnson) to bridge the first and second periods, the Gators entered the locker room at halftime looking at a manageable 6-2 deficit.

ONU's Ian Roy found the back of the net twice to begin the third quarter, but a man-up goal from Tyler Rippole (Wexford, Pa./Pine-Richland) and even-strength marker from Alex Crespo (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) once again whittled the deficit down to four at 8-4. Alas, the Polar Bears rattled off seven in a row and limited Allegheny to just one fourth-quarter goal en route to the victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ohio Northern finished with advantages in shots (53-to-23), ground balls (53-to-35), and faceoff wins (17-to-8).
• Allegheny scored the game's only man-up goal in the third quarter while holding the Polar Bears scoreless on two extra-man opportunities.
• Rakis (2g-1) and Crespo (1g-2a) paced Allegheny with three points apiece.
• Rakis also picked up a team-high six ground balls.
• Jack Cushwa (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg) and Rippole each scored one goal.
• Anthony DeMarco (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls) had seven of the team's eight faceoff wins and collected five ground balls.
• LSM Konrad Homiak (Hampstead, N.C./Topsail) and defenseman Liam Kruck (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin) each caused two turnovers.
• In goal, Garin Stearns (Hudson, Ohio/Revere) made 14 saves for Allegheny.
• ONU received a game-high five points from attackmen Mitchel Luck (3g-2a) and Colin Willits (4g-1a).

News and Notes

• Crespo tied a career-high with two assists in his sixth multi-point performance.
• With 98 career points, Rakis needs only two more to become the second player in program history to reach 100 points.
• Cushwa is also closing in on the 100-point club with 92 career points.
• First-year midfielders Andrei Conwell (Baltimore, Md./Dulaney), JaMier Hopkins (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward), and Tomi Horsley (Salt Lake City, Utah/Brighton) each made their collegiate debut on Saturday.

Up Next
Allegheny hosts Lycoming College on Saturday, March 1, at 1:00 p.m. at Frank B. Fuhrer Field.