AMHERST, Mass. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's lacrosse team dropped a road decision at Amherst, 21-9, this evening at Gooding Field. 

Nolan Lawler led the Engineers with a team-high three goals, while Sean Smith scored twice. Cooper Manzi, Patrick Keegan, Mickey Sullivan, and Michael Kline also found the back of the net, and RPI received assists from Tyler Ruffini, Jordan Vaillancourt, and Ben Shocket. 

RPI got on the board first with an early unassisted finish by Manzi, and Smith answered later in the opening quarter to keep the game even at 2-2, but Amherst closed the period with a late goal to take a 3-2 edge after 15 minutes. 

Amherst used a big second quarter to create separation, building the lead to 9-3 at halftime despite a key response from Lawler during the stretch. 

The hosts continued to extend the margin in the third, though Kline provided a late goal for RPI to make it 14-4 heading to the fourth. 

RPI's best offensive push came in the final quarter, as Smith and Sullivan struck early and Lawler added a pair of late goals to complete his hat trick, while Keegan also found the net in the fourth.

The Engineers next head to Clarkson for a 3:00 pm meeting on Saturday.