The No. 2 St. Thomas men’s lacrosse team began a three-game weekend series against top-25 ranked teams with a win Friday night against the No. 16 Northern Colorado Bears.

The Tommies (9-1) started the scoring first with two quick goals from junior Cooper Mazon in the 10-3 victory. The Tommies’ defense, which did not allow a goal in the first half, was crucial.

“I’m just fortunate I got awesome D-poles standing in front of me,” senior goalie Tommy Thone said. “They stop more balls really than I do. … They didn’t have that many shots because the ball was down on the offensive end, which is really our game plan.”

Senior Joe Costello and sophomore Peter Carbonneau led the Tommies offensively with three goals each, and sophomore David Burke had one goal and three assists.

“As far as the game plan went, we beat them in the faceoff action, we beat them in the ground balls and the overall possession of the game,” Costello said. “I think we had it down in our offensive zone the whole time, and that’s the way we want to play the game.”

Coach Peter Moosbrugger said the good defense by Northern Colorado (3-6) kept the game close.

“The zone defense keeps the score low, but you must remain disciplined and execute the offense,” Moosbrugger said.

Costello said the win was bittersweet.

“It feels good to get the W, it always does, but by the margin we got it doesn’t feel as good,” he said.

Moosburger said the win builds momentum for the weekend.

“To hold a top-20 team to three or four points, I’ll take that any day of the week,” he said.

The Tommies will face No. 6 Davenport University at 7 p.m. Saturday night, and finish off the home series against No. 12 Missouri State at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Brian Woitte can be reached at bmwoitte@stthomas.edu.