The Lourdes men's lacrosse team began its 2019 campaign in fashion, edging No. 9-ranked Saint Ambrose 12-11 on Saturday evening inside the TBK Bank Sports Complex.
 
"This was a great team win tonight," stated head coach Patrick Yannarelli following the victory. "We played with relentless tenacity throughout the game. We have areas to clean up and will continue to work in those areas to improve. We need to turn our attention to our next opponent and get ready to compete tomorrow."
 
It took less than four minutes for Saint Ambrose (2-1 overall) to jump into the lead, taking a 2-0 advantage with 11:27 left in the first period.
 
Freshman Nick Johnson (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) scored his first career goal shortly after, cutting the Bees lead to 2-1 with 9:55 left in the first
 
After Saint Ambrose stretched their lead to 3-1, goals by Johnson and Blake Alexander (Edgewood, Ky./Dixie Heights) ended the quarter and helped Lourdes pull even at 3-3.
 
Saint Ambrose scored the opening goal of the second quarter, but two goals from Mark O'Bryant (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) and a strike from Johnson gave Lourdes a 6-4 lead, its first of the contest.
 
The Bees got back within one in the second period, but O'Bryant and Johnson netted back-to-back scores to stretch the Gray Wolf lead to 8-5 at the intermission.
 
Lourdes scored three of the first four goals of the second half as Johnson found the back of the net twice and Cory Campbell (Dayton, Ohio/Bellbrook) added a goal to help Lourdes take an 11-6 lead.
 
Saint Ambrose came roaring back late over the final two quarters but it was a goal from Chad Causley (Clinton Township, Mich./L'Anse Creuse) that ultimately put the contest out of reach as Lourdes held on to claim the 12-11 victory.
 
Freshman Tyler Hart (Brighton, Mich./Brighton) had a stellar collegiate debut, stopping 11 shots and picking up four ground balls. Collin Miller (Royal Oak, Mich./Shrine Catholic) grabbed a team-high eight ground balls in the victory.
 
Johnson netted a game-high six goals to lead the Gray Wolf offense, while O'Bryant also tallied a hat trick for Lourdes with three goals.
 
The Gray Wolves (1-0 overall) return to TBK Bank Sports Complex tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. as they take on Clarke in the second of a four-game road trip to open the season.