ERIE, Pa. (Mar. 7, 2026) … The Hampton University men's lacrosse team dropped a tight knit contest with Mercyhurst Saturday morning 15-12. 

The Pirates found themselves trailing early after the Lakers jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the first quarter, but quickly responded as they have all season. Maliik Wood helped Hampton rattle off a 4-0 scoring spree, as he deposited home three goals in the span to give the Pirates a 5-3 lead with 7:33 remaining in the first half. 

After a Mercyhurst 5-1 run, the Pirates found themselves trailing 8-6 midway through the third. Wood once more slotted home a goal to settle the Pirates down and bring the game within one at 8-7. The two sides then exchanged 2-0 runs, as Hampton's Anthony Bardonille Jr. scored back-to-back goals for the Pirates to keep the game a one-point difference with 4:56 remaining in the third quarter. 

The fourth quarter proved to be the difference maker as Mercyhurst scored four consecutive goals to take a commanding 15-10 with just 4:30 remaining. Bardonille Jr. and Wood would each score another goal each, but ultimately it was the Lakers earning a 15-12 win. 

Wood paced Hampton with five goals, while Bardonille Jr. added four goals and an assist. James Greene recorded the most assists on the afternoon with three, while Hampton scored eight or more goals for the fifth time this season. 

UP NEXT:
Hampton continues their road swing Sat. Mar. 14 when they take on Fairfield in a CAA contest. The game is set to start at 12:00 p.m.