The Stevenson University men’s lacrosse team (10-4 overall, 3-1 MAC Commonwealth) suffered its first conference loss of the season on Wednesday evening, falling 20-13 to the York (Pa.) Spartans (11-3 overall, 4-0 MAC Commonwealth).

The Mustangs struck first with Grant Zick scoring at the 12:39 mark in the opening quarter.

Hunter Bryant followed with a man-down goal just a minute later, and Gavin Gossen added another off a Max Racich assist.

Zick netted his second of the quarter before York closed the gap, but Stevenson maintained a 4-2 lead after one.

Stevenson extended the lead in the second quarter with goals from Racich and Darrell Curtis, the latter coming on a man-up opportunity from Zick. York responded, but Racich added another man-up goal from Curtis to keep Stevenson ahead.

A late Spartan surge cut the Mustangs’ lead to 7-6 at halftime.

Zick and Bryant each scored early in the third, with assists from Racich and Gossen.

However, York answered with a pair of goals, and after Gossen made it 10-8, the Spartans went on a three-goal run to take an 11-10 lead heading into the final frame.

Bryant tied the game early in the fourth off a Curtis assist, and Racich later knotted it again at 12-12.

York responded with a two-goal spurt before Curtis cut it to 15-13 with just under five minutes left. That would be Stevenson’s last goal of the night, as the Spartans closed the game on a dominant five-goal run to secure the win.

Racich and Gossen each finished with five points to lead the Mustangs, while Zick and Curtis added four apiece. Bryant notched a hat trick, and Camden Miller chipped in an assist. Tyler Merchant recorded nine saves in net.

The Mustangs look to bounce back as they travel to face Messiah on Saturday at 1 p.m.