(NORTH CANTON, Ohio) – A slow start hurt Walsh as it fell by a narrow 8-6 margin to visiting Molloy in the season opener at Vasco Field on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. The Cavaliers spotted the Lions (2-0) a 4-0 lead and chipped away throughout the rest of the game, but could not get over the hump in the hard-fought contest.

Preseason All-American Bryan Crim initially got the Cavaliers on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter on an unassisted strike that made the score 4-1. The Cavs then used a Molloy penalty to cut the deficit to two just under four minutes later when Nicholas Castorf connected with Alex Hudgens who slipped one by the keeper.

Molloy answered with the final goal of the half and the first one of the second, but Walsh responded with a pair of goals in the third to cut the deficit back down to two. Castorf and Hudgens switched rolls on the first of those scores while Benjamin Suchomma added the fourth goal.

Castorf and Hudgens connected once again to get within one 44 seconds into the final frame. After the Lions answered with another goal to make it 7-5, Hudgens scored unassisted to get back within one, but Walsh could get no closer.

Despite the loss, Dylan Ciolino was superb in goal as he saved 14 shots on 36 shots faced. He also added six ground balls and caused three turnovers in the effort.

The Maroon and Gold will be on the road for the next four games and won't be back on Vasco Field until Monday, March 20, against Lynn. The first of those games will be at Tusculum a week from today. Face-off with the Pioneers is set for 1 p.m.