OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Fitz McLaughlin continued his streak of scoring in every game to open the 2023 season as the Catholic University men's lacrosse team dropped a road contest to Stevenon on Wednesday night.

Catholic fell behind just 69 seconds into the affair but Ryan Carroll provided an immediate response, knotting the game just 47 seconds later on a man-down goal.

Stevenson then ratcheted up the defense to stifle the Cardinal attack. Catholic was unable to find the net again in the first half as Stevenson scored four more in the opening stanza and added two more in the second quarter to take a 7-1 lead to the break.

After the Mustangs registered the opening goal of the second half, McLaughlin struck after a feed from Mike Mulligan to end the Cardinal scoring drought of more than 33 minutes. The same duo connected for Catholic's final tally with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Catholic did muster 20 shots on cage but Stevenson goalkeeper Justin Scorece was able to repel 17 of them to earn the win. Cardinal shot-stopper Nic Pezone could not be faulted for his performance, producing 19 saves himself.

The game was physical with multiple penalties assessed to each team. Catholic accumulated eight minutes of penalty time on nine infractions while Stevenson was whistled for five flags for six minutes of penalty time. The Cardinals came up empty on all six man-up opportunities.

Cooper DiCicco had a good night, winning 11-of-18 from the face-off X and claiming a game-high eight ground balls.  

In addition to his goal, Carroll scooped two ground balls and caused two turnovers. Freshman defender Sam Pikul matched Carroll with two of each.

The Cardinals will continue an extremely difficult run of match-ups with a trip to No. 2 Christopher Newport on Saturday. Jon Sax's men will do battle with Captains in Newport News at 4 p.m.