TIFFIN -- The Heidelberg University Men's Lacrosse team started the 2026 campaign on a down note, stumbling to a 7-6 loss to Augustana College on Saturday. The Student Princes were 0-for-5 in man up opportunities.

Mario Manzardo recorded a hat trick, scoring three times.

Augustana struck early and held a 1-0 for much of the first quarter. With just under five minutes left in the frame, Brandon Musa tallied his first collegiate goal. Kaivin Jones scooped up a ground ball off a Viking turnover, fed it to Musa, who buried it from the right side. 

Down 2-1 in the second, Manzardo evened the game with just over 7:00 left. He took a pass from Malachai Davis and scored from a sharp angle on the left side. Four minutes later, he gave HU a lead with a goal from the right side.  

A four-goal outburst for the visitors in the third, part of a 5-0 run, changed the complexion of the game. 

Heidelberg fought their way back into the game in the fourth. Davis registered his first collegiate goal at the 12:34 mark.  

Still down two with under 3:00 left, HU was gifted an own-goal on an errant pass back to the goalkeeper. Manzardo's third goal of the game came at the 1:56 mark, bringing HU to within one.  

The Vikings were able to retain possession for the final portion of the game, icing the contest.  

Wilson Runnette made 11 saves and Sonny Varrati picked up five caused turnovers. 

Heidelberg will host Alma College on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Hoernemann Stadium.