HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker lacrosse team suffered a tough 17-5 loss to Conference Carolinas rival the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on Wednesday night.

The Cobras and the Crusaders played a tightly contested first half with Belmont Abbey taking 4-3 lead into halftime. Belmont Abbey tacked on three goals in the third quarter to make it 7-3, but the Cobras answered with goals from Keith LaClair (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) and C.J. Bogue (Jupiter, Fla.) cutting the lead to just two (7-5).

The Crusaders turned up the offensive pressure, scoring 10 goals to close out the game.

LaClair finished the game with two goals for the Cobras, while Timothy Smith (Commack, N.Y.) also found the back of the net twice. Bogue added a goal, with Ryan Vento (Bellmore, N.Y.) and Steven Marciano (Shirley, N.Y.) each tallying an assist.

Josh Masciarelli (Binghamton, N.Y.) made 11 saves in the cage for the Cobras.

Coker is back in action on Saturday in a non-conference game at Lenoir-Rhyne. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

McDonald's Player of the Game- Keith LaClair

LaClair scored two goals on three shots.

The McDonald's Player of the Game is presented by the Hartsville McDonald's and is given to the most outstanding performer during each Coker College home athletic event.