MOUNT VERNON – The Cornell men's lacrosse team kicked off the spring season Wednesday night on its home turf at Van Metre Field at Ash Park. A big second quarter led the Spartans from the University of Dubuque over the Rams, 14-4.

Wednesday marked the first competition for the Rams (0-1 overall) since the COVID-19 pandemic cut their season short on March 11 of last year.

It was a stagnant first quarter with the two teams trading goals at the halfway point. With inside a minute left in the first, Cornell's goalie Evan Begner (FR/Evergreen, Colo.)'s initial save of a Spartan (1-0 overall) shot fell out of his crosse and into the Rams goal. The own goal was the first of eight Dubuque would go on to score before intermission.

Warren Wiberg (SO/Valley Center, Calif.) kicked off the scoring in the second half, capitalizing on an assist from Kyle Jussila (JR/Elk River, Minn.). The Rams added on two more goals after Ethan Kupka (SO/Thornton, Colo.) found Jussila in extra-man opportunities.

That capped off the scoring for the Rams, who struggled to take advantage of the 13 extra-man opportunities given to them by the Spartans.

Dubuque took twice as many shots as Cornell on the night, and won the ground ball battle, 63-27.

In his first collegiate game, Begner nearly set a record in net for the Rams. Begner corralled 18 saves, just three off the program's high.

Coming up – The Rams hit the road for a nonconference matchup on March 3 against Augustana College. Start time is 4 p.m. in Rock Island, Ill.