A quick start on the road led to a key early-season victory for the Clarkson University Men’s Lacrosse team on Wednesday afternoon as the Golden Knights posted a 12-9 win over 20th-ranked Connecticut College in New London, CT.

Junior midfielder Matt Cyr (Cheshire, CT) scored a game-high four goals for the Golden Knights, who jumped out to an early 4-0 first-quarter lead on the Artificial Turf at Silfen Field.  Senior Mitch Collins (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and sophomore Brendon Shearin (Goffstown, N.H.) both scored twice for the for Clarkson.

Sophomore netminder Ryan Cole (Orchard Park, N.Y.), who was named Liberty League Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, stopped 15 shots in the cage for the Green and Gold, who improved their record to 3-1.

Collins staked the Knights to a 4-0 lead with his goal at the 3:01 mark of the opening quarter and Clarkson carried a 5-1 lead after one. The Green and Gold extended their lead to 6-1 when senior Tyler Long (Liverpool, N.Y.) scored with 13:33 remaining. However, the Camels responded by scoring three of the last four goals of the half to make it 7-4 at the break.

Clarkson cashed in on two extra man opportunities in the third, with Cyr and sophomore Matt McCabe (Syracuse, NY) connecting, to take a commanding 11-5 lead after three. Connecticut (1-2) ended the game with a 4-0 scoring spurt of its own, but it was not enough and the Golden Knights were able to hold on for the 12-9 victory.

McCabe finished with four points (1-3) in the victory, while senior Evan Miles (Onondaga, NY) and junior Bryan Huff (Hillsborough, NJ) scored one goal each. Freshman Jack Keenan (Brasher Falls, NY) picked up a team-high four groundballs.?Clarkson returns home to host 8th-ranked RIT at Hantz Turf Field for a 1:00 p.m. contest on Saturday.