PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Facing a team ranked inside the national top-six for the fourth time this season, the ninth-ranked Pace University men's lacrosse team was defeated at No. 4 Merrimack College on Saturday. The 14-5 setback moves the Setters' record to 9-3 overall this season, and 5-3 inside the NE10.

Merrimack, the defending NCAA National Champions, used a hot start to set the tone on Saturday. The Warriors gained a 3-0 edge at the 11-minute mark of the first quarter before extending their edge to 7-3 at halftime.

Up four at the break, Merrimack broke the game open with a 6-1 run to start the second half.

Senior Bradley Paterson (Caldwell, NJ/Depaul Catholic) was Pace's top scorer in the game with two goals. Daniel Lewis (Bohemia, NY/Connetquot), Matthew Simone (Seaford, NY/Seaford) and Bruno Surace (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) also found the back of the net for the Setters.

Freshman goalkeeper Louis Ragusa (Yorktown Heights, NY/Yorktown) posted 15 stops in net—his ninth game this season with at least 11 saves.

Up Next
The Setters will play their final two home games of the regular season next week, beginning with a Tuesday matchup against Franklin Pierce (3:30 p.m.)