Video Highlights (courtesy Northeast-10 Conference)

FOXBORO, Mass. – The Bentley University Falcons dropped a hard-fought 12-11 decision to the Merrimack College Warriors in Northeast-10 Conference men's lacrosse action Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, with the difference being a Warrior goal by junior Greg Melaugh (Billerica) with just 14 seconds left in the second half.

Bentley rallied from a 6-4 halftime deficit and trailed 7-4 in the third period before mounting a comeback to tie the game.  They trailed 8-7 and 10-8 into the fourth before rallying to take an 11-10 lead with just over five minutes in the game on a goal by senior Brendan Grant (Walpole/Xaverian Bros. HS), his third of the game.

However, the Warriors didn't allow another goal and got the equalizer from junior Mike Perdie (Wading River, N.Y.) with 4:33 left, making it an 11-11 game.

Bentley had the ball in Merrimack territory for most of the last two minutes, but turned it over with 25 seconds left.  The Warriors took the ball upfield and Melaugh found the back of the net for the game winner, and his fifth of the game.

For the Falcons, Grant led with way with a hat trick and an assist, and senior Justin Holmes (Brookfield, Conn./Berkshire School) also scored three. Sophomore Nick Astarita (Bedford, N.H./Bishop Guertin HS) added a couple of goals, while seniors Richard Travers (Longmeadow/Longmeadow HS) and JD Ayer (Rochester, N.Y./McQuaid Jesuit HS) scored one apiece, as did junior Steve Caditz (Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island HS).

The Falcons controlled the faceoff circle for most of the first half, including a 5-for-6 edge in the first quarter before Merrimack rallied in the second half.  Bentley was able to score the edge in groundballs, and they held solid advantage in succeeding on 11 of their 14 clear attempts.

The Falcons, who had won two of their previous three games, fell to 3-7 on the year and 3-4 in NE-10 play.  Merrimack, ranked sixth in Division II, boosted its record to 10-2 overall and 6-2 in the conference with the one-goal win.

The game was the opening contest of the New England Lacrosse Classic at Gillette Stadium.  Gillette will host the national tournament's semifinals and finals rounds for all three divisions this season.

Bentley returns to action on Monday, when they host Franklin Pierce in the final home game of the regular season. Game time is 4 pm.