NEWBERRY – In search of a program record 7-0 start, the Newberry College men's lacrosse team lost a close battle with SAC foe Wingate at Setzler Field on Wednesday night, 11-9.

Newberry (6-1, 1-1 SAC) had six players register a goal in the game, led by Curtis Bukta's three. Jimmy Osorio had two goals, and Shane Halliwell, Miles Jones, Scott Reed and Zach Thompson had one apiece.

David Squires showed the way on defense with a caused turnover and four ground balls. Brock Strong and Jack Travassos also picked up four ground balls for the Wolves.

Osorio broke the ice with the game's first score 3:36 in. He was assisted by Bukta who tied for the team lead with two assists.

Wingate (5-2, 1-0 SAC) responded within a minute, and the game sat at a 1-1 stalemate for the better part of the next eight minutes of game time. Bukta ended the drought with his first 12:05 into the night, the assist credited to Thompson.

The Bulldogs evened things at 2 with 1:49 left in the opening quarter and grabbed their first lead before the period end.

Wingate went up 4-2 at the start of the second stanza before a man-up goal from Reed and Bukta's second tied it back up with 11:25 remaining in the first half. The visitors eventually took a 7-4 lead into the break.

Two more Bulldog goals made it 9-4 five minutes into the second half, but the Wolves refused to go away quietly. Osorio, Bukta and Thompson all scored over the last 8:38 of the third to enter the last quarter down only two, 9-7.

Each side scored a pair of goals in the fourth – Jones and Halliwell for Newberry – and Wingate held on for the win.

In net, Ryan Erler stopped 13 of 24 shots (.542), and as a unit, Newberry won the ground ball battle 39-32.

Newberry hits the road to Catawba for a SAC matchup this Saturday (March 16). Faceoff in Salisbury, North Carolina, is scheduled for 3 p.m.