Game Notes
The Fairfield University men's lacrosse team takes its 2-0 record on the road Tuesday night, with a newly minted top-20 ranking, as it travels to Hofstra University for a 7 p.m. game at James M. Shuart Stadium. The Stags enter the game at 2-0, while the Pride is 1-1. Check your local listings as the game will air on FiOS1TV.
Fairfield moved into the 20th spot in Monday's USILA National Poll, with 20 points, one spot ahead of the Pride. In the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll the Pride held down the 20th spot, with 45 points, while the Stags were the first 'also receiving' squad.
Fairfield and Hofstra are meeting for the third time, with the Pride winning the first two meetings. The Stags hosted Hofstra last season, and despite a late rally, fell 8-7 to the Pride, which was ranked eighth in the nation at the time. The first-ever meeting between the two teams came in 2002, at Hofstra, an 11-8 decision.
The Stags are 2-0 to start a season for only the fifth-time at the varsity level. Fairfield last started this way in 2008, opening with three straight wins before finishing the year at 4-9. The best start in program history came in 2007, 5-0, with a 6-6 final result. Twice, in three years, under Andy Copelan, the Stags have been 2-1 after three games.
The Stags needed double-overtime to defeat Bryant, 9-8, on Saturday in what is the third longest game in program history, lasting 66:22. It also marked the first time in program history that Fairfield has won a multi-overtime game and the Stags are now 7-6 all-time in games that need extra time to decide.
John Snellman scored once against Bryant to keep his scoring streak active. It is now at 12 games and ranks among the top-seven such streaks in the nation at this time. Sam Snow has his second multi-goal game of the year, with two on Saturday, and leads the team with seven goals. Eric Warden paced the Stags in the win on Saturday with four points. He netted his first career hat trick, the Stags fourth of the 2012 season.
Charlie Cipriano continues to provide a steady and imposing force in net for the Stags, stopping 11 shots in the win over Bryant. He is averaging 10 saves per game and boasts an 8.55 GAA and a .526 save percentage. Drew Palmer caused a game-high three turnovers on Saturday and is one behind team leader Gordie Wells. Michael Roe won nine more face-offs on Saturday and is at 63.4% for the year, with 26-41.
Hofstra opened the season with an 11-9 home win over Sacred Heart and then fell to #19 Princeton, 12-6, on Saturday on the road. Hofstra is averaging 8.50 goals per game, all at even strength, while allowing 10.50. The Pride has a .478 face-off win percentage (22-46) and is clearing at a 78% success rate. Hofstra has been called for just four penalties, while opponents have been whistled for only two. Lance Yapor is the leading scorer on the team with six goals and an assist, while Tyler Johnston has a team-best six assists. John Antoniades has gone 13-31 at the face-off X and shares the team-high in ground balls, six, with two others. Andrew Gvozden has played all 120 minutes in net and has 18 saves and a 10.50 GAA.
