SCRANTON, Pa. - Luke Murphy had four goals and two assists in his season debut and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's lacrosse team scored eight of the first 10 goal in the second half on its way to defeating The University of Scranton 18-14 in a non-league game at Weiss Field on Wednesday. The Engineers keep their perfect record intact (4-0), while the Royals lose for the second time in three games (1-2).

With the score tied 9-9 entering the third quarter, RPI's got goals from Devon Boyko, Murphy and Tyler Nalls for a 12-9 lead less than four minutes into the frame. Rhys Zoldi had assists on two of the goals. Scranton tallied two of the next three goals, but the Engineers answered with four consecutive markers, including two straight from Alex Ehrenstein, for a 17-11 edge 5:24 into the fourth quarter.

The Royals scored three of the final four goals, including one with 32 seconds remaining, to pull to within four.

Murphy led all scorers while adding six shots (5 on goal). Zoldi scored twice with two helpers and three others had three points apiece. Among them was Nalls (1 goal, 2 assists), who also had five ground balls. Boyko, a defenseman. added four ground balls and an assist with two caused turnovers. Angelo Venuto was 15 of 28 on face offs with nine ground balls and Dante Parisotto won 5 of 6 with three pickups. 

Joseph Perry played the final 30 minutes for the Engineers and made six saves to record the win. Jack Steer had 15 saves for Scranton. Matthew McAree paced the Royals with three goals, while Chris Crapanzano and Mitchell Kozak tallied two apiece. 

RPI, which is listed among those receiving votes in the most recent USILA Top 20 poll, held a 51-44 advantage in shots. Both teams committed 17 turnovers on the afternoon.

Rensselaer travels to Florida to play its next game, Saturday against Eastern in Clearwater. Scranton hits the road to take on No. 17 SUNY Cortland on Saturday afternoon.