FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University men's lacrosse team is back on the road, traveling north to Colgate for a Saturday afternoon clash with the Raiders. Faceoff from Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium is slated for 12 p.m.
Fairfield's Last Time Out
Fairfield turned in a strong second half against No. 4 nationally-ranked Yale last Saturday but was unable to overcome an early deficit in a 10-5 loss to the Bulldogs. The contest was televised on SportsNet New York (SNY) and played in front of a live crowd of 2,456 fans – the largest crowd in the two-year history of Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium.
Fairfield was led offensively by a hat trick from Colin Burke. The freshman attackman has scored at least one goal with two or more total points in each of the Stags' first seven games. Another new Stag – sophomore Charlie Horning – also contributed a three-point day to the offense with a goal and two assists.
Rounding out the scoring was Jake Knostman with a man-up goal, and Charlie Schnider handed out two assists. Schnider leads Fairfield with 13 helpers on the year.
In the cage, Tyler Behring made 14 saves for the second consecutive game. The defense in front of the junior goalkeeper was led by three ground balls from Matt Borda and a pair scooped up by Spencer Noonan.
At the faceoff 'X', Joe DeLasho went a perfect 11-for-11. Will Fox also won two draws as the Stags went 13-for-17 on the day. Fairfield came away with all 10 faceoffs in the second half as it looked to mount a comeback against the Bulldogs.
Scouting Colgate
After a Tuesday loss to upstate rival Cornell, the Colgate University Raiders stand at 3-4 overall this spring. Colgate has also played three Patriot League games, holding a 1-2 record in conference play. Saturday's meeting with the Stags is the final non-league outing for the Raiders, who are in the midst of a four-game homestand.
Colgate is the defending Patriot League Champion after capping a 10-6 campaign in the NCAA Championship First Round with a loss at then-No. 3 North Carolina last spring. The Raiders' 2015 season included a 13-9 loss to the Stags at Rafferty Stadium.
Colgate is led offensively by 10 goals apiece from Chase Wittich and reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Anthony Abbadessa. The top point scorer for the Raiders is freshman Sam Cleveland, who has put home nine goals and also handed out a team-leading eight assists in his first collegiate season.
Every minute in the cage this spring has gone to 2015 Second Team All-Patriot League honoree Brandon Burke, who owns a .540 save percentage and 8.25 goals against average.
As a team, Colgate is 55-of-140 (.393) at the faceoff 'X'. Just over half of the draws have been handled by Colin Orr, who sits at 32-of-71 (.451) with 11 ground balls. Orr has been supplemented primarily by Peter Marchetto , who owns a 21-of-56 (.375) mark at the 'X' with 11 ground balls. Marchetto took 217 of the Raiders' 376 draws last season, coming away with 84 to record a .387 win percentage.
Stags vs. Raiders
Last season's 13-9 win for Fairfield evened the all-time series with the Raiders at 4-4. The clubs are meeting in back-to-back seasons, renewing a rivalry that had been dormant since 2012.
Colgate is the second Patriot League opponent on Fairfield's 2016 schedule. The Stags fell to then-No. 20 Bucknell, 13-8, on Feb. 20 at Rafferty Stadium. One week later, the Raiders hosted and defeated the Bison, 11-10, in overtime to opener their league slate.
Under the Lights
Fairfield returns to Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium on Tuesday, March 22 to host in-state foe Quinnipiac at 7 p.m. The Bobcats stand at 3-1 with a game against Marquette on tap before their trip down I-95 to challenge the Stags.
Tuesday's game is a part of Youth Lacrosse Night at Rafferty Stadium. All youth lacrosse team members (8th grade and younger) that wear their jerseys will receive free admission to the game.
It will also be the final Lil' Stags Club Game on the men's lacrosse schedule. All Lil' Stags Club members will receive four free tickets to the game. Please RSVP by Monday, March 21 at 5 p.m. to lilstagsclub@fairfield.edu.
