BOSTON, MASS. -- Nathan Sickles and Colby Quiet netted three goals apiece but it was not enough as the Keene State College men's lacrosse team lost the battle for first place in the Little East Conference against UMass Boston 14-13 on Saturday evening at James Cotter Field. 

Records 

• Keene State: 8-4 
• UMass Boston: 11-2 

How It Happened 

The Owls attack quickly and score quickly as Sickles opened up the scoring from a quick transition. The Beacons scored to tie it up with under eight minutes in the first, but Colby Quiet won the faceoff and buried a goal past the UMass Boston goalkeeper. Sickles found the back of the net for his second goal of the day. The Owls led the low-scoring first quarter 3-2. 

The teams continued to prove their defensive strength in the second quarter. Palmer Belowski took the ball up field himself and ripped a shot to restore the two-point edge. Cooper Cioffi followed suit, taking advantage of a loose ball in front of the Beacons goal to net his first of the game. The Beacons scored with 8:28 remaining in the quarter but Quiet answered with his second goal of the game to give the Owls the 6-3 lead. UMass Boston put on the pressure, netting two goals to close the gap. Keene State Joe Nutting netted a goal to give the Owls an edge, but the Beacons scored to keep on the tails of the Owls 7-6 after the first half. 

The teams battled it out in the second half. The Owls and Beacons traded goals in the third quarter, with Giacomo Tedone and Shane Molloy netting a goal apiece. The Beacons tied it up. Sickles netted a goal for the Owls and then set up teammate Joe Nutting in a man up situation. Keene State held an 11-10 lead heading into the final quarter. 

Keene State Cioffi scored first with an assist from freshman Rex Maccarini. The Beacons erupted, netting three goals in one minute, as the Owls trailed for the first time all game. Quiet netted his third and the final goal for the Owls to tie it up. In the final minutes of the game, UMass Boston Darragh broke through the Keene State defense to see the lead. The Owls battled back but could not regain possession in time. The Owls fell to a 14-13 defeat against the Beacons. 

Inside the Crease 

• Shane Molloy netted one goal and scooped up nine groundballs for the Owls. 
• Sickles netted three goals and dished out two assists. 
• Keene State goalkeeper Chase Chamberlin made 11 saves. 
• The Owls lead the all-time series against the Beacons 24-4. Prior to this meeting, the Owls had not lost to UMass Boston since 2001. 

Up Next 

• The Owls host Salem State on Saturday, Aprill 23 at 3 p.m. at the Owl Athletic Complex. 
• The Beacons host Western Connecticut on Wednesday, April 20.