KENOSHA, Wis. – Augustana men's lacrosse (6-3) suffered their first loss in seven games this afternoon in a road contest at Carthage. The Vikings battled Carthage until the final period, but the Firebirds' offense was too explosive.
 
The Firebirds doubled Augie up in the first period with four goals compared to the Vikings' two. William Clemens and Ben Krok got the Firebirds on the board to start the game before Elijah Graesser cut the deficit in half. Clemens, Brady Holtz, and George Burchfield traded scores in the final nine minutes of the quarter.
 
The Vikings came out swinging in the second period and matched Carthage's three scores in the frame. Alec Gern completed a hat trick in the second quarter alone but was equaled by Augie's Carson Ghys and John Calabrese. Augustana trotted into the locker room trailing 7-5 at halftime.
 
The Firebirds continued their consistent effort after the break with another four-goal period in the third. Gern and Burchfield capitalized on two separate man-up situations. Sam Shaver also scored with a Firebird in the penalty box while Graesser collected his second score to keep the Vikings within reach.
 
Carthage produced another four-goal period in the final quarter. Andrew Frey and George Burchfield completed hat tricks in the fourth. For the Vikings, Holtz and Matteo Uccelli struck gold to reach double digits on the scoreboard. Despite Augustana's production, the Vikings could not maintain Carthage's pace and fell 15-10.
 
Brady Holtz led the Vikings with three goals in five shots. Carson Ghys also scored twice for Augustana. Matteo Uccelli and Matt Pierson each forced two turnovers on Augustana's defensive end. The Vikings' goalkeeper, Cameron Duffy, recorded a dozen saves in the loss.
 
Augustana will continue their road stretch on Monday, Apr. 4 with a trip to Grand Rapids, Mich. Where the Vikings will take on Calvin University.