Ithaca, N.Y. – The Yale University men's lacrosse team scored seven of the final eight goals of the game, all in the fourth quarter, but came up just short at No. 3 Cornell, 13-12. It was the Ivy League opener for both the Big Red and the No. 11-ranked Bulldogs.  

Yale faced a 12-5 deficit a minute into the fourth quarter but scored five-straight goals to get back into the ballgame.  

Cornell got one back, but Yale again quickly answered and pulled to within one with 3:24 left thanks to rookie Chris Lyons' first career hat trick. The Bulldogs were able to force a turnover with the Big Red possessing and the shot clock off and got a chance in the final 0:16.5 but ran out of time in the end.  

"Cornell was great -- they looked every bit the part of a top-5 team today," said head coach Andy Shay. "I thought they were a complete team. Their composure and compete level was impressive." 

The Big Red were the highest-ranked opponent that Yale faced this season as all 10 of the Bulldogs' scheduled opponents this season have appeared in the top-20 discussion. The Elis are now in a stretch of three-straight games against teams currently ranked in the top-6 nationally.  

The Bulldogs scored the first two goals of each of the first two periods, but Cornell had answers for both opening salvos. The Big Red then held Yale off the board in the third quarter while adding three more goals to their lead.  

The momentum swung in fourth as rookie Leo Johnson opened the flood gates for Yale to set up the rally.  

Lyons was joined by Matt Brandau (1G, 2 A) with three-point days while Johnson (2 G), senior Brian Tevlin (2G) and rookie Brad Sharp (2A) each had multi-point afternoons. Eight different Bulldogs scored in the game. 

Sophomore Jared Paquette was strong in net with 18 saves while Nicholas Ramsey gave the Bulldogs a chance with 21-of-28 faceoff victories and a game-high 16 groundballs.  

The Bulldogs return home to Reese Stadium next Saturday, March 26 against No. 4 Princeton after playing three of four games on the road. Game time is set for 3:30 pm on ESPN+.