MADISON, NJ (April 6, 2019) -- The King's College men's lacrosse team got off six shots in the final 2:22 of the game, but none would be the tying goal as the Monarchs dropped a heartbreaking 6-5 decision at FDU-Florham Saturday in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action from Robert Shields Field. 

The Monarchs took an early lead at 9:55 of the opening stanza, as sophomore Gabe Vansuch extended his goal scoring streak to 11 games with a tally with help from senior Brian Steiger. The host Devils (7-3, 3-0 MAC Freedom) deadlocked the game with 2:48 left to play in the first quarter, as John Belanger tallied his 28th of the year with help from Macgyver Hay. 

FDU-Florham took its first lead of the day at 9:40 of the second period, as Pat Stewart scored following a King's turnover. Minutes later, the Monarchs (2-9, 0-2 MAC Freedom) took advantage of a extra-man opportunity, as Steiger tallied to make it 2-2. Just before half though, the Devils recouped their lead with a Zane Johnston goal with 33 seconds left to take a 3-2 lead into the break. 

The exchange of goals would continue into the third quarter, as Steiger set up senior Ryan Matusiewicz for his second of the season to make it 3-3. The tie game would last for just under four minutes, as the Devils regained their lead at 4-3 on a Drew Bukowiec man-up goal. 

That would start a 3-0 run for the Devils, but King's would get some momentum just before the end of the third as Trevor Douenias won the face-off, attacked the net and fired an unassisted tally with less than a second to go in the period to make it 6-4 FDU-Florham going to the final quarter. 

The Monarchs wouldn't go away, pulling back to within one at 6-5 as Jack Camp scored on an assist from sophomore Michael O'Brien with 11:42 to go. Senior goalkeeper Matt Basile would be key, as he made five huge stops to keep it a one-goal game. With less than four minutes to play, King's would control the rest of the game. 

It looked like King's had tied the game at six with 1:46 to go, but the shot from Steiger rang off the post. Attempts by Steiger, Matusiewicz and Jared Gambino in the closing minute missed wide or high, as FDU-Florham hung on for the win. 

Steiger finished with three points on a goal and two assists, adding a team-best nine shots along with two ground balls. Douenias bounced back strong with 10 face-off wins in 14 attempts, adding a team-best eight ground balls. Martin and Matusiewicz also finished with four loose ball pick-ups. 

King's continued to get great goalkeeper from Basile, as the senior posted a phenomenal 18 saves while allowing just six goals and picking up four ground balls. King's was narrowly out-shot on the game, 43-38, and won the ground ball battle, 24-21. King's was 1-of-5 on EMOs, finishing 14-of-17 on clear attempts. 

Stewart and Johnston each tallied twice for the Devils, and Hay and Michael Adragna posted three caused turnovers apiece. 

King's will look to pick up its first MAC Freedom victory on Wednesday at home, hosting Delaware Valley University at 7 p.m. in McCarthy Stadium in Wilkes-Barre, PA.