Gaffney, S.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Lacrosse Team (0-1) opened its 2016 season with a 23-12 setback to No. 1 Limestone (2-0) Saturday afternoon at Saints Field.

The Saints, the two-time defending NCAA Division II National Champions, were led by Kyle Rhatigan (Holbrook, N.Y.), Vinny Ricci (Port Moody, British Columbia) and Chris Clancy (Peterborough, Ontario) with four goals each.

Rhatigan added five assists for nine total points as the Saints took control in the second period with six straight goals to erase a 4-3 deficit after the first 15 minutes.

Lenoir-Rhyne sophomore midfielder Ben Corrigan (Johns Creek, Ga.) scored twice early in the third period to cut the margin to 10-9 but Limestone responded by scoring 12 of the next 13 goals to put the contest away.  Corrigan led the Bears with three goals in the game.

The Bears also received two goals from junior attackers Mike Hanlon (Haymarket, Va.) and Will Remsen (Baldwin, N.Y.) and senior midfielder Carson Sterling (Durham, N.C.) in the losing effort.

In goal, Limestone's Patrick Sheridan (Fairport, N.Y.) picked up the win after stopping five shots while sophomore Ryan Crompton (Fredrick, Md.) suffered the setback despite 13 saves.  Limestone held the edge in both shots taken (58-29) and ground balls (50-31) as well.

Lenoir-Rhyne remains on the road to take on Belmont Abbey next Saturday at 1:00 p.m., in Belmont, N.C., while Limestone faces Emmanuel in Franklin Springs, Ga., on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.