A tall task awaited the John Carroll University men's lacrosse team on Saturday. Capital University, one of the hottest teams in the Ohio Athletic Conference, confronted the Blue Streaks in an intense battle for positioning in the conference standings.

Ultimately, the test proved too tough for the Blue and Gold. Despite JCU's best efforts, the Crusaders emerged with a 10-8 victory on Saturday in Bexley, Ohio.

With the loss, the Blue Streaks drop to 7-6 overall on the season. JCU is now tied for fourth with Mount Union in the OAC standings, while Capital remains atop the conference with a 5-0 mark.

Capital opened the scoring with a pair of goals midway through the first quarter. MacGregor Roberts struck first for JCU late in the opening period, making the score 2-1 heading into the second.

The Crusaders extended their lead with a four spot in the second period. Brennan O'Callaghan led the way for Capital with three goals in the quarter, though Declan O'Grady and Keegan Flinter each scored once to keep it close. Entering the second half, the Blue Streaks trailed, 6-3.

Both offenses remained mostly quiet in the third quarter, only notching one goal apiece. Ryan Crater tabbed his 12^th goal of the year for JCU midway through the period, while Carson Paull connected for Capital at the 1:03 mark of the third. Thanks to Paull's late goal, the Crusaders held a 7-4 lead heading into the final quarter.

The teams exchanged goals for the first part of the fourth quarter. Logan Calhoun buried a shot to start things off before Paull responded with a tally three minutes later. Flinter fired back a minute later with 14^th goal of the season before Capital scored two to extend its lead to 10-6 with six minutes remaining.

The Crusaders defense then stiffened, keeping JCU off the board until the final minute. O'Grady and Roberts each scored with under a minute remaining, but JCU's comeback fell short, as Capital held on for a 10-8 victory.

The Blue Streaks return to action on Wednesday at 7 p.m., as JCU will host Mount Union.