ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's lacrosse team was defeated in a non-conference home contest on Sunday, falling to the visiting Whittier Poets by a score of 18-9 from Thorson-Lucken Field.

The Poets grabbed the first three goals of the game before Augie found the back of the net for the first time, notching a score on a man-up advantage from Elijah Graesser. Whittier earned the goal right back and led 4-1 after 15 minutes of action.

The lead for the Poets moved to five after two consecutive scores to begin the second. Jack Connolly answered with his first tally of the day on a pass from Carson Ghys, but Whittier grabbed two more before the end of the half to bring an 8-2 advantage into the break.

The third quarter brought the highest offensive output of the game, with Whittier doubling up Augustana six goals to three in the frame. The two teams alternated the first four scores, with Connolly and Brady Holtz securing one each for the Vikings before the Poets rattled off four in a row to build their margin up to double digits. Ghys added a goal for the Vikings to cut the deficit to nine heading into the final period.

Back-to-back goals from Connolly brought Augie within seven to kick off the fourth quarter, but the Poets responded with three in a row to counter the scoring run and keep the Vikings out of striking distance. Holtz and Graesser contributed two late scores, but it was not enough as Augustana fell to Whittier 18-9.

Connolly led the Vikings' offensive attack with four goals on eight shots. Trevor Herman ended with a team-high 18 ground balls and was 20-28 on face off attempts.

With the loss, Augustana drops to 2-2 on the season. The team will be back in action on Saturday, March 11 when they visit the MSOE Raiders. Start time is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Milwaukee, Wis.