HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Senior Michael Muff scored two of his three goals in the second half as the Centenary University men's lacrosse team suffered a hard fought 9-7 loss to Kean University on Wednesday afternoon.

The Cyclones scored two of the first three goals in the game as senior Nolan Gottshall and freshman Kyle Mott sandwiched goals round one from Kean's Jake Frankovits.

Back-to-back goals from Frankovits gave Kean a 3-2 edge with 1:31 left in the first quarter.

Muff rocketed one home with 58 seconds left on the clock and the two teams were tied at 3-3 after 15 minutes of play.

Both teams had their opportunities in the second quarter, however Cole Blackley's goal for the Cougars at 4:39 proved to be the only score in the period. That allowed Kean to take a 4-3 advantage at the half.

Kean scored the first three goals of the third quarter and took a 7-3 lead with 8:40 left in the stanza. Frankovits had a pair of goals during that stretch.

Senior Spencer Stachowiak got one back for the Cyclones with a man-down goal at 6:52 of the third.

Muff's second of the day off a pass from Gottshall, made it a 7-5 game with 3:27 to go in the period.

Kean pushed its lead back to three, 8-5 on Frankovits' goal to open the fourth quarter.

Goals from sophomore Chris Howell and Muff pulled the Cyclones to within one, 8-7 with 6:52 to play.

Kean added an insurance goal from Mike Snellen in the final minute for the 9-7 victory.

Thomas Francy made nine saves to earn the win goal for Kean. Freshman Wayne Safreed turned in an incredibly strong performance in the loss for the Cyclones. Safreed made 19 saves, 12 of which came in the first half. Several of his saves came with Kean on the doorstep of the cage.

Frankovits led Kean with six goals while Andrew Yensel had three assists. Connor Baucom won 13 faceoffs while Matt Tanis had six ground balls and five caused turnovers on defense.

Muff led the Cyclones with three goals while Gottshall and Mott each had a goal and an assist. Senior Kyle Purcell led the defensive efforts with four caused turnovers and five ground balls.

The Cyclones are back in action as they travel to Immaculata on Saturday, April 21 for a 4 p.m. game.