The Fairfield University men's lacrosse team welcomes a national audience to Rafferty Stadium on Saturday, March 21 when the Stags host Villanova at 5:30 p.m. in a contest airing live on ESPN3 and SportsNet New York (SNY).
The game is the nightcap of a doubleheader that will also feature Fairfield women's lacrosse opening Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play against Manhattan at 2 p.m.
Nick Licalzi will be on the call for both games. He will be joined Crista Samaras for the women's contest, and Rich Donovan will be alongside for the men's game.
Fairfield will officially dedicate Rafferty Stadium in a ceremony in between the two ends of the twin bill.
Last Time Out: Fairfield used goals from nine different student-athletes to put together an 11-5 win at Massachusetts-Lowell on Tuesday. Jake Knostman and TJ Neubauer each scored twice for the Stags, while Charlie Schnider contributed a goal and two assists.
The Stags also got single goals from Tristan Sperry, Alex Corboy, Nick Guida, Joe Rodrigues, Conor Dalton and Liam DaRos. The fourth quarter, man-up goal for DaRos was the first of his collegiate career.
Colin McLinden helped to set up the Fairfield offense with two assists. Dalton, Guida and Drew Murray also handed out assists in the non-conference triumph.
Louie DiGiacomo was dominant at the 'X' against the River Hawks, winning 10-of-12 faceoffs to keep the Stags on the attack. Joe DeLasho went a perfect 3-of-3 late in the contest.
Defensively, Tyler Behring made the start in goal and registered six saves while picking up six ground balls – both career bests. Daniel Costa completed the effort and stopped one shot. Behring and Matt Borda each caused a pair of River Hawks' turnovers, and Tom Lukacovic collected three ground balls on the defensive end.
The Matchup: Currently ranked No. 20 by the USILA and also appearing in the two major national media polls, Villanova comes to Rafferty Stadium with a record of 5-2. Despite having played two road games this spring, the Wildcats are venturing outside of the state of Pennsylvania for the first time in 2015.
Jack Curran leads Villanova with 21 total points (14g, 7a), but isn't the team leader in goals or assists. Danny Seibel has amassed a team-best 16 goals, while Sean Cerrone has handed out 14 helpers.
Greg Stamatov and Dan Willis have split the action in goal right down the middle this spring. Stamatov owns an 8.29 goals-against average and .517 save percentage as the Wildcats' starting netminder. The second half between the posts goes to Willis, who boasts an 8.86 goals-against average and .597 save percentage.
Fairfield vs. Ranked Opponents: Fairfield has defeated at least one ranked opponent (in the USILA Coaches' Poll) in each of Andy Copelan's six seasons at the helm, including an overtime triumph at No. 1 Denver in 2013.
This spring, the Stags were clipped by then-No. 6 Yale, in overtime, and knocked off a previously-ranked Colgate squad that has slipped to the “others receiving votes” column at the time of the encounter.
A Rafferty Residency: The Stags have played just three home games thus far in 2015, a total that includes the Feb. 21 meeting with Manhattan that was relocated to Rafferty Stadium due to unplayable field conditions at the Jaspers' Gaelic Park.
Beginning with today's game against Villanova, the Stags will play four of their final six regular season contests at home, including a three-game run against CAA Lacrosse foes to close out the campaign.
Up Next: Fairfield begins CAA Lacrosse play for the first time next Saturday, March 28 at defending champion Drexel. The Stags will also play at Massachusetts on Saturday, April 4 before beginning a three-game, regular-season-ending homestand against CAA Lacosse foes with a visit from Towson on Saturday, April 11.
