SALISBURY, Md. -- The Grove City College men's lacrosse team opened the 2024 season Saturday afternoon with a 17-11 setback at defending national champion Salisbury in non-conference play at Sea Gull Stadium. 

Six men scored goals for the Wolverines, led by a three-goal outing from junior attack Matt Blythe (Mendon, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima). Junior attack Kobi Bui (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) and sophomore attack Stewart McClain (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) both scored twice. Graduate student attack James Petrolle (Damascus, Md./Damascus), junior midfielder Luke Jayne (Vero Beach, Fla./Saint Edward's) and sophomore Colton Lehberg (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Santa Fe Christian) also added goals. 

Blythe, Jayne and junior attack Zachary Hougan (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) all recorded two assists. 

Lehberg led Grove City with eight ground balls. Blythe recorded five ground balls and senior goalie Danny Stone (Chantilly, Va./Flint Hill) picked up four ground balls. Junior long stick midfielder Tyler Curry (Huntington Beach, Calif./Mater Dei) caused two turnovers. 

No. 1 Salisbury (2-0) outshot Grove City, 64-40. Grove City had 22 turnovers while Salisbury turned over possession 13 times. Salisbury recorded a 44-38 edge in total ground balls. Lehberg won 13 of 27 faceoff opportunities.

Stone stopped a career-high 23 shots. That also sets Grove City's single-game record for saves. 

Grove City will visit Bethany at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Presidents' Athletic Conference action. The Wolverines host Ohio Wesleyan next Saturday at 3 p.m. in the 2024 home opener.