PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado State University men's lacrosse concluded its two-game homestand to open the 2024 season here Saturday afternoon with a 21-9 setback to Rockhurst University in a non-conference game at ALG Stadium.
 
The loss drops the ThunderWolves to 0-2 on the season, while the Hawks improve to 2-1 on the season.
 
In Saturday's game, the two teams combined to score 19 goals and take 44 shots in the first half as Rockhurst held a 14-5 lead at the half. Rockhurst also held a 31-13 edge in shots in the opening half.
 
Five Pack players scored in the game with sophomore attacker Andrew Dzubek (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Mount Saint Vincent) scoring four goals and adding two assists for a total of six points. In addition to Dzubek, sophomore midfielder Lane Lessley (Lakewood, Colo./Lakewood) added two goals and two assists for four points.
 
Rockhurst opened the game by scoring the first two goals in a span of two minutes, before the Pack got on the scoreboard thanks to an unassisted goal by Dzubek with 11:43 left in the first period.
 
The Hawks would then close the first period by scoring five of the final six goals to hold a 7-2 lead after the opening 15 minutes. The Pack's second score came on a goal by Lessley off an assist by senior midfielder CJ Rowe (Indianapolis, Ind./CU-Chicago).
 
Rockhurst would jump in front 8-2 thanks to a goal just 10 seconds into the second period. The Pack, though, would score three of the next six goals to pull within 11-5. The Pack's goals came by senior midfielder Kevin Gallagher (Castle Rock, Colo./Castle View) off an assist by Lessley, while Lessley added his second goal of the game off an assist by Dzubek and sophomore attacker Kyle Parker (Hamilton, New Zealand/Northland College) added a goal off an assist by Lessley.
 
The Hawks would close the second period with three straight goals, including an unassisted goal by Jonah McConnell with nine seconds left in the period to give Rockhurst a 14-5 halftime lead.
 
CSU Pueblo would score three of the four goals that were tallied in the third period to cut RU's lead to 15-8 heading into the final period.
 
The Pack got the scoring started in the third period on a goal by Dzubek that was assisted by junior midfielder Brett Woolcock (Humble, Texas/Atascocita) just 1:45 into the period. Less than three minutes later the Pack would add another goal by Dzubek off an assist by Parker to pull within 14-7.
 
Linus Toward scored his fifth goal of the game with 8:36 left in the third period to give RU a 15-7 lead and the Pack capped the scoring in the period on an assisted goal by Dzubek.
 
The Hawks would put the game way in the fourth period as they outscored the Pack, 6-1, to set the final margin. The Pack's lone goal in the final period came by Woolcock off an assist by Dzubek with 19 seconds left in the game.
 
Jonah McConnell and Toward combined for 11 goals in the win as McConnell scored six times, while Toward, who entered the game with 13 goals on the season, tallied five for the Hawks. Lars Yarkosky, Carson Bradshaw, and Alec Heflin each scored two goals in the victory.
 
The Pack were outshot in the game, 57-30, as Dzubek took nine shots and Lessley added six shots. Toward took 10 shots and McConnell added nine shots.
 
The Hawks won the turnover battle, 19-13 and collected 46 ground balls to 27 for the Pack. Rowe had six ground balls and sophomore goalie Zane Lassberg (Houston, Texas/Westside) added five ground balls.
 
Botjh teams were 20-for-23 on clears and the Hawks won the face off battle, 22-11 as Bradshaw was 13-for-17 on face offs and Oran Lautenbach was 9-for-16 on face offs. Sophomore midfielder Bryce Campbell (Meridian, Idaho/Meridian) was 8-for-21 on face offs.
 
Lassberg and Duzbek combined for five caused turnovers, while Rockhurst caused 14 turnovers in the game.
 
Sophomore goalie Connor Russell (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven) started in goal for the Pack and played the first 19-plus minutes and allowed 11 goals, made eight saves, and had two ground balls. Lassberg played the final 40-plus minutes as he allowed 10 goals, had eight saves, five ground balls and three caused turnovers.
 
Rockhurst's Brock Ollila played nearly 55 minutes in goal and allowed eight goals, made seven saves, and had five ground balls. Santo Monachino played the final five-plus minutes and allowed one goal and made three saves.
 
The Pack will return to action next Saturday, Feb. 24 with a 12 p.m. game in Colorado Springs, Colo., against Colorado College.