ST. PAUL, Minn.  – Cornell's young men's lacrosse team felt some growing pains Wednesday night in a 21-5 road loss to Midwest Lacrosse Conference co-favorite University of Northwestern at Reynolds Field.

It took 30 seconds for the Eagles (1-2 overall, 1-0 MLC) to get on the scoreboard, and 30 minutes later the Rams (1-2 overall, 1-1 MLC) found themselves in a 14-0 deficit at the half.

Cornell's offense couldn't find a rhythm, with Northwestern primarily controlling the ball, firing off 56 shots alone in the first half. The Rams were forced into 16 turnovers and attempted five shots.

In the second half, Cornell put together a better attack and competed against the Eagles. Jesse Small (FR/Nashville, Tenn.) was the first to get the Rams on the board at the 5:02 mark in the third quarter.

Warren Wiberg (SO/Valley Center, Calif.) and Ethan Kupka (SO/Thornton, Colo.) kept it going in the final frame, netting two goals each. The Rams outscored Northwestern 4-2 in the fourth quarter.

Freshman Evan Begner (FR/Evergreen, Colo.), the reigning MLC Defensive Performer of the Wee, had a busy, record-setting night in net for the Rams. Begner shattered the school record for saves in a game with 29, against 76 total shots by the Eagles.

Begner now sits fourth in the country overall and leads all freshmen at 21.0 saves per game.

Coming up – The Rams get another chance at the Eagles with a home match Saturday, March 27 at Van Metre Field at Ash Park. First faceoff is scheduled for 4 p.m