ALBION -- The Albion College men's lacrosse team dropped its first game of the season, falling to Hope College, 23-18.

Sophomore Sam Puzevic led the offense, scoring four goals and adding three assists. Junior Jace Conley added four goals and two assists, while Ethan Rottell scored twice and dished out four assists.

Defensively, Joey Tatar and Bear Nelson caused four turnovers each.

The Brits fall to 4-1, Hope improves to 4-0.

Hope scored the first two goals before the Brits were able to even the game at two. Brock Yabs and Rottell tied the game at two. With 3:33 left in the quarter, Hope scored the final goal of the period, taking a 3-2 lead after one.

The teams spent the second quarter trading goals, which ultimately led to a 9-8 Hope lead at the half. Conley scored twice in the quarter for the Brits, while Puzevic added a goal and an assist.

A man up goal by Timmy Salinas out of the half knotted the game at nine. The Flying Dutch would eventually score three straight, pushing their lead to 16-11. The Britons found life at the end of the period, as two Conley goals paired with a goal by Eddie Symons cut the deficit to two goals. Albion trailed 16-14 heading into the final quarter.

With 8:52 on the clock, Grant Chaffee cut the Flying Dutch lead to one. Hope rattled off five straight goals to deflate the Albion momentum and build a large enough lead to hold.

Albion struggled on the face off X, winning just 12 of 43 face offs.

The Britons will travel to Adrian College on Saturday for an 11 a.m. game.