ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College men's lacrosse team lost to Clarkson University, 13-3, at home Saturday afternoon. 

The loss dropped the Raptors to 4-6 on the season and 0-4 in Liberty League play. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights of Clarkson moved to 7-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference. 

The opening quarter between the two sides showed just how tough the game was, as neither side could separate from the other. Clarkson was able to jump out to a 2-0 lead midway through the opening 15 minutes, but Bard cut that lead in half thanks to a great shot and goal from George Goceljak late in the frame. 

At the end of the quarter, the visiting Golden Knights clung to the lead, 2-1 and looked frustrated. 

However, the frustration wouldn't last long.

Following the disappointing quarter, Clarkson responded in a big way, using the second quarter and first five minutes of the third to outscore the Raptors, 6-0, over the 20 minute stretch.

Ian Shaw broke the scoring drought for the Raptors midway through the third frame, as he wristed a shot past the Clarkson keeper for Bard's second goal of the day, cutting the deficit to 8-2.

But over the final 23 minutes of the game, Bard was outscored, 5-1, as a John Palermo's man-up goal early in the fourth period was all the Raptors would score the rest of the way.

Clarkson was able to finish off the game, 13-3.

The Raptors' major struggle on the day was faceoffs, as they lost the category, 16-3 overall and didn't win one during the first half of play.

Bard also lost the groundball battle, as Clarkson topped the Raptors, 43-24 in the category. The hosts did turn the ball over less than their opposition, but were outshot 45-19 over the 60 minutes. 

Lyle Healey finished the afternoon with 16 saves for Bard, while Nick Strandholm (Happy Valley, OR) recorded six saves for the visitors. 

Blake Burnley picked up eight groundballs and Dalton Davis caused three turnovers in the loss.

Conor Bartlett (Syracuse, NY) led the way for the Golden Knights on the afternoon, as he finished with a goal and five assists in the win. Ryan Gabriel (Homer, NY) won 16-of-17 faceoffs he was in, picking up seven groundballs along the way for Clarkson. 

Up next for Bard, a week off before the team travels to Schenectady to take on Union College on April 22nd. That contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and you can follow it right here.