| 3/22/2008 2:51:51 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT men's lacrosse team scored just one second half goal in a 6-4 loss to Clarkson University (2-1) in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops RIT to 3-4 on the season, while Clarkson improves to 2-1.

RIT out shot Clarkson 36-31 and won the ground ball battle 35-34. RIT was 25-of-34 on clears and committed 30 turnovers. The Golden Knights were 31-for-40 on clears and had 27 turnovers.

Andrew Ruocco (Corning, NY/Corning East) (Corning, NY/Corning East) had two of RIT's four goals. Chris Ferry (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) and MJ Kiekebelt (Orangeville, ON/St. Andrews) (Orangeville, NJ/St. Andrews) had the other goals. Brad Conlon (Ottawa, ON/Bridgton Academy) (Ottawa, ON/Bridgton Academy) made nine saves, allowing six goals in a losing effort for RIT.

Ferry scored the lone goal in the first quarter, giving RIT a 1-0 lead. After a Clarkson goal tied the score at 1-1 early in the second quarter, Ruocco and Kiekebelt each scored in the second quarter to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead at the half.

The Golden Knights came out in the second half, scoring four straight goals. Jon Cathcart tied the score at 3-3 with 9:35 remaining in the third quarter.

Tom Ross gave the Golden Knights a 4-3 lead at the 7:01 mark of the third on an assist from Brian Hoey.

Ross scored the eventual game-winner with 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter, giving the Golden Knights a 5-3 lead.

Ruocco cut the lead to 5-4 with 10:46 remaining in the fourth quarter with his second goal of the afternoon, but Erik Hilfinger put the game away with a goal at the 7:56 mark of the fourth, making it 6-4.

The Tigers, 3-4 on the season, will host Elmira College on Wednesday afternoon in Empire 8 action at 3:30 pm on RIT's Turf Field.