VESTAL, N.Y.- The Binghamton men's lacrosse team fell, 12-9, to Marist in the 2015 opener Sunday afternoon. Sean Gilroy recorded four goals and an assist in his first game as a Bearcat, while Tucker Nelson set the BU career assists record in the non-conference contest at the Bearcats Sports Complex.


Marist jumped out to a 5-2 lead early in the second quarter, but Binghamton rallied. Zachery Scaduto scored from Johnny Maher with 11:49 left in the half. A few minutes, Scaduto scored again, cutting the BU deficit to 5-4. Nelson assisted on the goal, tallying his 56th career assist. The total moved Nelson ahead of Tyler Perrelle and alone into first on the Bearcat career list.


Binghamton continued its momentum, as Nelson found Gilroy for his second goal of the day with 5:14 remaining in the half, tying the match. Just fifteen seconds later, Nelson hit Gilroy again, putting the hosts up, 6-5. Gilroy closed the spurt with an assist, setting up Scaduto for his third goal with 3:51 showing on the clock. BU entered the half with a 7-5 advantage.


The Red Foxes evened the score in the third period, but Paul O'Donnell's goal with 5:30 to go in the frame made it 8-7 BU. The score remained the same heading into the fourth quarter.


Marist's Colin Joka scored three times in the period, as the visitors took the lead and fought off a Bearcat challenge in the final minutes. Gilroy posted his fourth goal with 2:18 left, giving BU hope, but Marist turned away several late shots to hold its margin.


Gilroy scored the first goal of the year just 3:10 into the game, as Matthew Kaser assisted in giving the home team a 1-0 edge on a man-up score. After four goals by the Foxes, Tyler Deluca found the back of the net, sending the match into the second quarter with Marist up, 4-2.


Gilroy finished with four goals and a helper. Scaduto put up a hat trick, while Nelson dished out three assists. Sam Sanko made seven saves in his debut as BU's goalie. O'Donnell and George Deignan each collected three ground balls. Joka and Drew Nesmith paced Marist (2-0) with four goals apiece.


BU (0-1) travels to Cornell for another non-conference game on Tuesday, February 24. The match is set for a 5 p.m. start.


(Courtesy: Binghamton Athletics)