No. 20 Loyola defeated a top 10-ranked opponent for the first time this season, using a staunch defensive effort to defeat No. 9 Georgetown 11-9 in the lone NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse game Thursday.

“I just saw our confidence grow,” coach Charley Toomey said afterward on CBS Sports Network. “That’s something that’s got to take us forward. We broke our huddle and said it’s a new season.”

The Greyhounds (7-5) trailed 7-5 midway through the third quarter but scored three goals in one minute, punctuated by a Bailey Savio goal five seconds after winning the faceoff, to take an 8-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

Kevin Lindley’s third goal of the game — and 151st of his career, tying him with Gary Handley for Loyola’s all-time record — made it 9-7. Lindley (three goals, one assist) has been limited in practices due to a back injury.

“He’s one of the toughest kids to ever don this jersey,” Toomey said.

Tewaaraton candidate Jake Carraway scored two fourth-quarter goals to pull Georgetown (10-2) even at 9. But the Greyhounds had the last word. Lindley drew a slide at the goal line that freed up Peter Swindell (two goals, two assists) for a shot from about 12 yards out, and Swindell converted for the go-ahead goal with 3:22 remaining.

The Hoyas had a chance to tie it on the ensuing possession, but they missed on two shots before a Carraway turnover. Aidan Olmstead scored with 46 seconds left to ice it for Loyola.

Georgetown, which had won six straight games, shot just 23 percent (9-for-39), committed 18 turnovers and struggled to put the ball past Greyhounds goalie Sam Shafer (13 saves).

Carraway (four goals, one assist), Graham Bundy (three goals) and TJ Haley (four assists) accounted for almost all of the Hoyas’ offensive production.

“We knew 19 was going to get his,” Toomey said of Carraway. “He’s just a terrific player, but we couldn’t let other guys get going.”

Loyola hosts No. 13 Navy in the Patriot League quarterfinals next Tuesday.

Georgetown will be the No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament next week in Providence, R.I.