PORTLAND, Maine – Max Smith's hat trick wasn't enough Saturday afternoon as the Emerson Men's Lacrosse Team fell 14-5 to the Saint Joe's of Maine Monks. With the loss the Lions are now 2-4 on the year and 1-3 in conference play while SJM improves to 4-6 overall and 3-0 in the GNAC.

The Monks came out ready for the challenge in the first quarter as they went right after EC with 11 shots for four unanswered goals in the first 15 minutes of action. Emerson scrapped back though as they won the second quarter, even after seeing SJM score two more. The Lions answered the call before the half closed though as Max Smith stepped up for two of his three on the day while Eric Colleran set up Brandon Lavoie to make it 6-3 headed into the half.

Through the first five minutes of action in the second half the Lions kept pace, answering SJM's goal in the fourth minute with another one from Max Smith with an assist from Nicholas Kitsos to make it 7-4. The Monks went on for two more goals in the period as they moved further away from the Lions, up 9-4 at the end of three.

Emerson's Brandon Lavoie opened up the fourth with another goal of his own with Kitsos on the assist again, but after that the Monks went on a tear to end it with five straight goals for the 14-5 final.

The Lions return to more GNAC action on Tuesday where they'll face Mount Ida. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. in Newton, Mass.