TROY, NY - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's lacrosse team suffered its first setback of the season with a 13-10 defeat at #3 RIT today.

Evan Whatley scored three goals to lead RPI offensively. Tyler Ruffini and Easton Morse added two scores each, while Cooper Manzi, Sean Smith, and Erik Ojert had one tally apiece. Ojert also had three assists for a team-leading four points.

RPI, who was ranked #4 in the most recent national poll, was blitzed early by the Tigers, with the hosts owning the first four scores and six of the nine goals recorded in first half.

Whatley and Manzi each found the back of the net to cut the deficit to 6-5 with three minutes elapsed in the third period, however RIT ripped off five consecutive goals to push the margin to 11-5.

The Engineers made one final push in the fourth quarter, including a 5-0 rally to move within one score with 8:14 left, but the Tigers would score the final two goals of the afternoon to close out the narrow win.

In addition to the three helpers from Ojert, RPI received one assist each from Ruffini, Smith, Zach Swanson, and Sean Mullen. Nick Biava topped all players with five caused turnovers on the defensive end as well.

RPI will take a week off before hosting Ithaca in a 1:00 pm home meeting on Saturday.