STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Colin McLinden matched his career high with seven points, but the Fairfield University men's lacrosse team was held off by host Stony Brook in a 10-9 contest on Saturday afternoon on Long Island. McLinden netted a hat trick to go along with four assists for the Stags.

In addition to matching his career best – established in a win over Yale on March 8, 2014 – McLinden also moves into eighth place on Fairfield's all-time scoring list with 122 career points.

Fairfield (2-2) also got a pair of goals from Jake Knostman as well as single tallies from Charlie Schnider, TJ Neubauer, Joe Rodrigues and Tristan Sperry. Schnider also dished out an assist.

Will Fox went 13-for-18 at the faceoff 'X'. The freshman is the reigning CAA Rookie of the Week for his work as the Stags' primary faceoff man.

Neubauer added seven ground balls for Fairfield, and Tristan Sperry scooped up five. Brad Nordstrom helmed the net for the Stags and made nine saves.

The Seawolves netted the first two goals of the contest and maintained the lead the rest of the way. Neubauer got the Stags on the board and then McLinden found the back of the net as Fairfield faced a 5-2 deficit early in the second quarter. A Schnider tally capped the first-half scoring as the Stags headed to the locker room facing a 6-3 deficit.

Knostman opened the second-half scoring on a feed from McLinden, but Stony Brook netted the next two markers to rebuild an 8-4 edge. At that point, Sperry banged home a marker and McLinden added a pair to pull the Stags within one at 8-7 with 12:54 to play.

The Stags would pull no closer, however, as the Seawolves answered with a marker and, after Knostman's second goal, responded again to take a 10-8 edge. Rodrigues scored on a Schnider assist just before the final horn as Stony Brook held on to take a 10-9 decision.

Fairfield outshot the Seawolves, 38-24, and held a 34-23 lead in ground balls. The Stags were edged in turnovers, committing 15 while pressuring the hosts into 13 miscues.

Mike Rooney led Stony Brook with a goal and seven assists, and Chris Hughes tallied a hat trick.

Fairfield continues its road swing next Saturday, March 7, with a short trip to Yale University. Faceoff against the Bulldogs, who are ranked as high as No. 7 in the national polls this week, is slated for 1 p.m.