ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Despite an early 3-2 lead in the second quarter of Saturday's game, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's lacrosse team fell to the No. 3 nationally-ranked RIT Tigers by a final score of 14-7 on the road. RPI falls to 5-6 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while RIT moves to 10-1 overall and 2-0 in Liberty League play.
 
RPI struck first thanks to a Dan Myers goal less than three minutes into the game to give the Engineers a 1-0 lead. Despite a pair of RIT goals from Spencer Bell – with the second at 2:04 remaining in the opening frame – Angelo Venuto responded five seconds later with a faceoff win, ground ball, and goal to help tie the game at 2-2 heading into the second quarter.
 
Cooper Manzi came through with the opening goal of the second quarter with 12:25 to play, as RPI led 3-2. That ended up as RPI's final lead of the day as the Tigers offense ran off four straight goals to end the half and one to open the third quarter for an overall 5-0 run to claim a 7-3 lead.
 
After Manzi scored again with 4:54 to play in the third quarter to bring RPI back within three and make the score 7-4, RIT continued their strong offensive pace with a 4-0 run and outscored the Engineers 7-3 through the final horn of the game as the Tigers took the 14-7 win.
 
Manzi's two goals led the RPI offense on the day, as the Engineers sported five others with goals in the box score. Venuto went 14-for-23 in the faceoff X, snagging 14 ground balls. Joseph Perry made 18 saves in the cage on the day, setting a new season-high.
 
The Tigers had four players finish with three points apiece – Bell, Luke Pilcher, TJ Hendricks, and Seth Grottenthaler. Bell and Hendricks each scored a team-high three goals apice, while Pilcher and Grottenthaler each had one goal and two assists. Will Sterrettmade 10 saves in net for the Tigers.
 
The Engineers return to action on Saturday, April 8 at home in Troy as RPI plays host to Clarkson University at ECAV Stadium in Liberty League action at 1 p.m.