PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Penn State senior Jack Traynor totaled a career high seven points on four goals and three assists, but it wasn't enough as the Nittany Lions fell 15-13 to Saint Joseph's in non-conference men's lacrosse action Saturday at Sweeney Field.
Penn State saw its record dip to 1-3 on the season, while Saint Joseph's improved to 2-1. The Hawks were coming off a one-goal loss to nationally-ranked Delaware.
After a season marred with injuries, Traynor is healthy and on fire offensively to start his senior year. He leads the team with 21 points on a team-high 13 goals and eight assists, averaging 3.25 goals and 2.0 assists per game.
Traynor had Penn State rolling early. He assisted on a goal by Mark Sickler to tie the game at 3-3 and went on to beat the buzzer with a goal just as time expired to put the Lions up 5-3 after one quarter. He added assists on a pair of Jeb Brenfleck goals to start the second quarter, giving him four points during a 5-0 run that put the Lions up 7-3.
Penn State took an 8-6 lead into the half thanks to a goal by senior Jack Kelly with 4:02 left on the clock, but things fell apart in the third quarter. Saint Joseph's outscored the Lions 7-1 in the quarter, fueled by an 18-2 advantage in shots. That gave the Hawks a 13-9 lead going into the final quarter.
The Lions turned the tables as far as shots in the fourth quarter, taking 21 to the Hawks' six, but the Hawks did just enough to keep their lead with a pair of goals. After falling behind 14-9, Penn State got as close as two at 14-12 with a goal by Traynor with 4:38 to play and then again at 15-13 with a goal by Mark Sickler with 1:26 remaining in the game.
Penn State's Will Peden continued the solid start to his freshman season, tallying one goal and four assists. Redshirt freshman Jeb Brenfleck recorded his first career hat trick, while Sickler and Kelly scored two goals apiece. Dan Reaume contributed on goal, and Kyle Aldridge had one assist.
Grant Haus, Mac Costin, Pup Buono, Jack Posey and Kevin Parnham each caused one turnover for the Lions. Haus and Parnham each have at least one caused turnover in all four games this season.
Matt Bohmer carried the Saint Joseph's offense with six goals. Zach Cole played a pivotal role, going 20-30 on faceoffs. The USILA All-American has taken all 82 faceoffs for the Hawks this season. He's won 58 for a .707 faceoff percentage.
Penn State is back at Panzer Stadium for its next game. The Lions host No. 6 Yale, which is coming off a 17-14 win over Villanova in its season opener, on Saturday at noon.
