(NORTH CANTON, Ohio) – The Walsh men's lacrosse team picked up its first win of the season in exciting fashion with a 9-7 decision over Ohio Valley on a chilly Saturday afternoon. The Cavaliers (1-6, 1-1) jumped out to an early lead and staved off a second half rally by the Fighting Scots (1-4, 0-1).

The Maroon and Gold defense was strong in the first half and kept the Scots off the board until the second quarter. By that time, the Cavs held a 4-0 advantage, a lead they didn't relinquish the entire game.

Walsh initially got on the board six minutes into the game when Benjamin Suchomma found the back of the net on an assist from Kevin McMahon. Jake Ciesynski scored seven seconds later after he won the face off and raced down the field and scored.

Ciesynski equaled that feat to give the Cavs a 3-0 lead at the start of the second quarter before McMahon scored his first goal of the game on an assist from Brydan Heisler to make it 4-0 with 12:02 in the half. McMahon scored his second later in the frame and both Jake Creagh and Marcus Brown added goals to give Walsh a 7-2 lead at the break.

The Cavs took advantage of a power play in the opening moments of the third to score on the advantage thanks to a Maurice Kelly goal on another McMahon assist. Ohio Valley answered with the next three goals to start its comeback attempt, but Brown helped give Walsh a little more breathing room as he scored with no time remaining in the third.

The goal proved pivotal as the Scots scored twice in the final frame, but couldn't get any closer as the Walsh defense prevailed when it needed to the most.

Noah Ross picked up the win between the pipes with five saves. Ciesynski went 10-of-17 on face-offs and led the game with seven ground balls.

The Cavs are off a week until they head to the Mountain State to take on Wheeling Jesuit.  The Cavs and Cardinals will square up at 1 p.m.