ARLINGTON, Va. — The Catholic University men's soccer dropped a back-and-forth midweek battle with Marymount (Va.) on Wednesday night.

Making the short trip across the bridge, head coach Travis Beauchamp named a much-changed starting XI that included only four of the same starters as Catholic's conference opener with Moravian four days ago.

The Saints flew out to a lightning-quick start as they took advantage of an early foul close to the Catholic penalty area. Axel Gonzalez stepped up to the free kick and rifled a right-footed shot over a four-man wall to push Marymount ahead.

Catholic looked for the response as the game ebbed and flowed throughout the first half. Marymount outshot the Cardinals in the opening stanza but Catholic looked dangerous going forward, and got the equalizer in the 28th minute.

A long ball forward from Mudi Jagha was flicked on by Seth Michalak, allowing Azaria Tewodros to show his pace, winning the race to the ball ahead of on-rushing goalkeeper Brian Cruz. The goalkeeper clattered the freshman, bringing him down inside the area for a stonewall penalty.

Junior Maximilian Penczar stepped up to take the first spot kick of his Catholic career and dispatched it confidently, smashing it into the corner and sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The teams went into the break at 1-1 but again it was Marymount edging ahead early in the second half. In the 57th minute, Tony Martinez pushed the Saints back ahead, arriving first to a low cross and finishing into the roof of the net.

Just seven minutes later, Marymount extended its advantage courtesy of Leonardo Torres. While it was a long way back for Catholic at that point, the Cardinals were up for the fight.

In the 78th minute, Gordie Bernlohr raced through the left channel, firing a shot toward the Marymount goal after a quick counter attack. Cruz made the save, but Bernlohr was first to the rebound and absorbed an elbow from a covering defender, earning Catholic's second spot kick of the match.

This time Bernlohr stepped up himself but Cruz came up big, diving to his left to make a clean save and hold.

Bernlohr made amends just four minutes later when Kwaku Marfo-Sarbeng slid a brilliant ball in behind the Saint backline. Bernlohr peeled off the back of his defender to finish into the roof of the net with his left foot to drag Catholic back within one.

The Cardinals pushed hard for an equalizer in the dying moments. Domenico Caltabiano forced a stretching save out of Cruz in the 85th minute before the Cardinals earned two corners in the final 90 seconds but ultimately could not force one in for 3-3.

Starting the first game of his Catholic career, goalkeeper Daniel Ferrer registered four saves. It was a big night also for freshman defender Luke Lillis who made his collegiate debut.

The Cardinals will now set their sights on a conference matchup with rivals Scranton on Saturday. Catholic will be looking to avenge a home semifinal loss to the Royals last season. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Scranton.