SALEM, Va. - The Catholic University men's lacrosse team dropped its first game of the season on Saturday at Roanoke, 14-12.

The Cardinals (2-1), who were ranked at No. 17 by Inside Lacrosse on Thursday, were led by senior Chris Novella who netted his first career hat trick to lead seven goal scorers.

Roanoke outscored Catholic 9-4 in the second half as it erased a three-goal halftime deficit to take a 14-10 lead with 6:41 remaining.

The Maroons (1-1) started the fourth quarter with a four-goal run to take a 12-9 lead before sophomore Connor McDonough stopped the run off a pass from senior Cameron Dunn.

Novella, graduate student Kevin Crowley and senior Joey Rockovich each had three-point games with Crowley totaling two goals and one assist and Rockovich dishing out a season-high three assists.

Senior Mike McShea dominated the face-off battle, winning 17-of-27 and scooping up 12 ground balls. Over the last two games, he has won 38-of-54 face-offs for 70.4 percent and totaling 28 ground balls.

Catholic has the week off before returning to action at home next Sunday, Feb. 27 against No. 19 Colorado College beginning at 2 p.m.