RICHMOND, Indiana -- In a defensive battle, the Heidelberg University Lacrosse team fell to Earlham College, 3-2. Despite outshooting the Quakers, 32-21, the Student Princes struggled to put quality shots on frame. 

Heidelberg slipped to 1-2 on the season, with both losses coming by a one-goal margin. Earlham improved to 3-1. 

Less than five minutes in, Rayce Septer came around the right wing, beat his man and knifed out in front of the net. Turning his hips, he calmly deposited the ball in the top right corner of the net. It was Septer's second game-opening goal of the season. 

The remainder of the first half was scoreless for both teams. Each defensive unit played aggressively, causing a combined 15 turnovers. Both offenses mustered up 15 shots before half, with both goalkeepers -- Heidelberg's Wilson Runnette and Earlham's Braden Greeno -- making six saves. 

Heidelberg maintained the 1-0 advantage until the final two minutes of the third quarter. Quaker Ryan Polack snuck a low shot through a screen and past Runnette for the equalizer. 

Unable to clean up the ensuing faceoff, the Student Princes allowed the Quakers to attack on the next possession. Robert Gift used an unconventional backhand shot to put Earlham ahead -- scoring 17 seconds after the first goal. 

The Student Princes equalized with 10:29 left in the fourth. Seconds after Septer was lit up on the perimeter, drawing a penalty, Ben Evans beat Greeno with a shot from the right wing.  

The Quakers regained the lead three minutes later with a back-door goal that stemmed from quick passes. The goal by Justin Boritzki proved to be the game winner. 

Heidelberg had possession in the game's waning seconds, but was unable to get a quality shot on goal. 

Evans finished with 10 of Heidelberg's 32 total shots.  Runnette added one save after halftime, finishing with seven. 

Defensively, HU caused 16 turnovers -- with Kevin Smith and Jonathan Marty notching four apiece. 

Heidelberg kicks off spring break with a game at Anderson on Saturday. The opening faceoff is slated for 3 p.m.