3/31/2007 - (Reading, PA) - Sophomore Billy Downes (Barkhamstead, CT/Northwest Catholic) scored twice and junior Tom Egan (Nyack, NY/Nyack HS) made a game-high 13 saves, but the Mount Saint Vincent Men's Lacrosse team lost 12-5 to Alvernia College on Saturday during a game played at Alvernia. With the loss, Mount Saint Vincent is now 1-7 overall as they continue to play outstanding defense, but struggle to score.

The game started in the Mount's favor as Downes and Russ Holland (Brooklyn, NY/Westminster) scored 1:11 apart during the first quarter to give the Mount a quick 2-0 lead. However, late in the first quarter, Alvernia rallied for three goals during a 51-second span, and then scored twice at the end of the quarter to make it 5-2 after the opening stanza. Sophomore Ryan O'Dougherty (Morristown, NJ/Morristown HS) scored midway through the second quarter to make it 5-3, and after an Alvernia goal, Downes scored his second of the game with 1:11 remaining in the first half to make it 6-4, and it appeared that the game would be a thriller. However, a Crusader tally during the closing seconds of the first half gave Alvernia a 7-4 halftime lead, and the tone was set for a second half dominated by the home team.

After a scoreless third quarter, Alvernia scored five straight goals to open the fourth quarter and put the game away. A Jason Reynolds (Centereach, NY/Middle Country HS) goal with 4:40 remaining in the game stopped the Crusader run.

Overall, Alvernia owned a 45-23 edge in shots, and a 36-33 ground ball advantage. Mount Saint Vincent's man-down defense had an impressive day, stopping eight out of nine Alvernia extra man opportunities.

Mount Saint Vincent returns to action on Wednesday, April 4 when they travel to Montclair State for a 4:30 p.m. game.