NAPERVILLE, Illinois – Junior Oliver Kennedy scored three goals and freshman Collin Fisher added two but it was not enough as the MSOE lacrosse team fell short at North Central in a 7-6 loss Wednesday evening at Benedetti-Wehrli field.

The Raiders (0-3) trailed the Cardinals (2-0) 7-4 with just under six minutes remaining when Kennedy struck twice to make it a one-goal game. Unfortunately, that was as close as they would get.

Junior Clay Gustafson added a goal to register a point in his 20th-straight game and sophomore Jack Fisher collected three assists in the game.

The teams were tied at 4-4 after three quarters when North Central opened the fourth period with three goals. The first came just over three minutes in and the next two came just under two minutes near the midway point.

Kennedy quickly responded with a goal just 1:12 later and made it a one-goal game with just over 90 seconds to play. The Raiders would force a turnover with just over a minute to play but could not register a shot on goal to tie the game in the closing seconds.

The Cardinals scored first before Collin Fisher scored his goals back-to-back to give MSOE its lone lead of the game at 2-1. North Central responded with back-to-back goals for a 3-2 lead after the first quarter. The teams traded goals in the second to send the home team into halftime with the 4-3 advantage.

Kennedy tied the game with the only goal of the third quarter, setting up the decisive final frame.

Noah Parrill led NCC with three goals as Tanner James and Tommy Huizinga added two each.

Junior Pat Collins made 14 saves for MSOE in goal. The Raiders were outshot 39-27 in the game

The Red & White returns to the field Saturday in its league opener at Concordia Wisconsin.