Waterbury, CT - The Post University men's lacrosse team lost a 15-10 season-opening match to Saint Michael's on Friday afternoon at LaMoy Field.

Four players scored multiple goals for the Eagles, including Dylan Heald and Nick Meier, who each had a hat trick.

The Eagles got the scoring going on a goal from Ryan Denike, his first in an Eagles's uniform off a great pass from Heald to put the Eagles up 1-0 just 52 seconds into the game.

Saint Michael's (1-0) did not get on the board until six minutes into the game at the 9:00 mark, but just 44 seconds later Meier scored his first of the season, rifling a shot from 20 yards out to give the Eagles its second lead of the game.

Less than a minute later, the Purple Knights tied it again before Heald gave the Eagles the lead back for the third time.  Denike returned the favor earlier in the game, assisting on the goal at the 5:46 mark, making a pass from behind the net to Heald, who was just in front of the crease and put it by goaltender, Sean Regan.

The Purple Knights scored two straight to take their first lead, but Denike's goal with 59 seconds in the first quarter, similar to Heald's goal earlier in the quarter, tied the game up, 4-4 going into the second. 

Saint Michael's took a two goal lead less than two minutes into the second before Meier responded with his second goal of the game. After taking another two goal lead, Tim Keefe answered for the Eagles for his first of the year at the 8:22 mark, taking a screamer of a shot from ten yards out to make it a 7-6 game. However, back-to-back goals from Sebastian Simonson of Saint Michael's gave the Purple Knights a 9-6 lead into the half.

In the third, Heald cut the deficit to 9-7, ripping a shot from the right side, ten yards out to make it a 9-7 game. Once again, Saint Michael's took a three-goal lead when Drew Collins scored his third goal of the game. Keefe again returned the favor just 62 seconds later, making it a 10-8 game at the 8:42 mark, flicking a shot as he ran past the right side of the goal for his second of the game.

The Purple Knights would score the next three goals, two from Max Katavolos in the third and one from Alex Chirgwin early in the fourth to go up 13-8 at the 14:25 mark. Heald and Meier added a goal in the period, but the Eagles (0-1) were unable to get any closer.

Heald added two assists for his hat trick on the day. Denike finished with two goals and an assist. Braedan Lockyer chipped in with an assist and Robbie McGrayne had an assist.

In goal, George Cole stopped 15 shots in his first game. Post had 25 shots on goal on the day with Meier leading the way with seven.

It was the ninth time Heald scored three or more goals in a game and the eighth for Meier.

Collins and Simonson both finished with three goals and three assists on the day. Katavolos also had a hat trick for Saint Michael's.

The Eagles have a quick turnaround, as they host D'Youville at noon on Sunday at LaMoy Field.