Hooksett, N.H. – Georgian Court University kicked off the 2019 men's lacrosse campaign in dynamic fashion Saturday as the reigning Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) champions took to the road and upended Southern New Hampshire University, 12-10.

The victory marks the Lions' first-ever victory vs. SNHU in four overall contests against the Penmen.

GCU (1-0) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first period when the Lions' trio of Connor Houghton (9:51), P.J. Saracino (8:36) and Brandon Razler (7:12) found the back of the net.

The two foes proceeded to trade pairs of tallies to make the score 5-4 Lions with 8:59 left in the second frame before Georgian unleashed six unanswered goals to take a commanding 11-4 lead at the 11:55 mark of the third period.

SNHU refused to relent as the home team put quite a scare into its guest as the Penmen peppered the Lions by netting six of the contest's last seven scoring efforts before time expired.

Despite the outcome, the Penmen (0-1) outshot Georgian Court, 64-34 (38-25 shots-on-goal).

CACC Defensive Player of the Year, Austin Geissel, was outstanding in the Lions' net as the junior corralled 28 saves to earn his first win of the year. Joseph Mayernik (Sr.-Pearl River, N.Y.) registered 13 denials of his own between the pipes for SNHU.

Saracino, in his first outing since missing the 2018 campaign due to injury, made up for lost time as the sophomore provided three goals and an assist in the victory. Ryder Verdoni commenced his senior campaign with a hat trick of his own while Razler supplied two scores and a helper.

Mason Barchard (So.-Chester, N.H.) paced the Penmen offense with six total points (3 goals, 3 assists). Tom Schutz (Sr.-Trumbull, Conn.) record three goals and a helper in the setback.

GCU now returns to campus Wednesday to host its home opener vs. #16 Mercy College. Start time is set for 2:30 p.m.