WATERBURY, Conn. – Senior attacker Leighton Cooke had a four-goal game for Post University Men's Lacrosse in their 2026 home opener against Assumption University, which entered the game receiving national votes, as the Eagles could not overcome a 10-goal first quarter by the Greyhounds, falling 18-10 on Friday afternoon.

THE BASICS

Post University 10, Assumption University 18

Post University (1-1)

RV Assumption University (3-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was all Greyhounds in the first quarter, which would end up pacing the entire rest of the game as Assumption ran out to a 7-0 lead as part of a 10-goal frame, behind three goals from sophomore attacker Ben McHugh. The lone score of the first for the Eagles came from Cooke, who had three goals in the second half en route to his four-goal afternoon. Sophomore goalie Liam McCurry played only the first quarter, allowing 10 goals, while making two saves, and getting handed the loss in the affair. 

In relief of McCurry, sophomore goalie Aiden Waller delivered a strong performance over the final 45 minutes, making 11 saves and allowing just eight goals, as outside of the first 15 minutes, Post actually outscored the Greyhounds, 9-8. The second would be a defensive battle with each side only netting one goal apiece as freshman attacker Cameron Maunders netted the lone goal for the Eagles while sophomore midfielder Boomer Staunton was the scorer for Assumption.

Post's 3-0 run in the third brought them within seven, 13-6, before the end of the frame, but Staunton would kick off a 4-0 run at the start of the fourth for the Greyhounds, helping them regain a 12-goal advantage, putting an end to the rally by the Eagles. Post would end up seeing freshman midfielder Chase Thoendel and freshman attacker Andrew Grippo each net goals in addition to Cooke and sophomore midfielder Will Brien in a 4-0 response, bringing the score back to a respectable 18-10 final.

In net for the Greyhounds, sophomore goalie Shane Corcoran played the first three quarters, making 11 saves on 17 attempts, while freshman goalie Nate Burns played the fourth quarter, allowing four goals and making only three saves. While Cooke led the Eagles with four goals, senior attacker Patrik McGrath had a 10-point performance for Assumption with four goals and six assists, followed by McHugh with his four goals and two assists for six points. 

BY THE NUMBER

• After recording a hat trick in 14 of 16 games last season, Leighton Cooke returned to the hat trick column once again with four goals for Post University 
• Patrik McGrath led all scorers with 10 points, scoring four times while tacking on six assists for Assumption University in the win
• Connor Stack was unstoppable for Assumption University in the faceoff circle, winning 15-of-21 faceoffs overall in the game and collecting 12 ground balls in the process
• Post University remains winless in the all-time series against Assumption University, falling to 0-8 in the matchup that started during the 2014 season

WHO'S NEXT
Post University hits the road for a mid-week matchup against Franklin Pierce University on Wednesday at 4:00 PM. The Eagles took down the Ravens at home last year, snapping a five-game losing streak against them with a 16-6 victory at LaMoy Field.