AMHERST, Mass. – Fairfield University Men's Lacrosse took a 6-6 tie into halftime at #16/17 UMass on Sunday afternoon. But the nationally-ranked Minutemen outscored the Stags by a 5-2 margin in the third quarter and held off Fairfield down the stretch to take a 13-9 decision.
 
With the loss, the Stags fall to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the CAA. UMass – the CAA regular season champions in 2018 and 2019 – open their spring slate at 1-0.
 
Dylan Beckwith and Matt Chlastawa paced the Fairfield attack with three points apiece. Beckwith scored two goals with one assist, while Chlastawa netted one goal with a pair of helpers. Trent Moran and Taylor Strough each scored a pair of goals for the Stags, and Max Paparozzi and Travis Ford rounded out the offense with one marker apiece.
 
In the midfield, Frankie Labetti continued his strong season at the X with a 9-for-15 showing and three ground balls. Dylan Smith earned a pair of faceoff wins as the Stags were edged, 13-11, on the draw.
 
Jake Tymon did his part in the faceoff scrum and on close defense, scooping up a career-high seven ground balls and recording four caused turnovers. Dean Ford collected three ground balls in the midfield.
 
Behind the defense, Colin Consoli made 12 saves and vacated the cage to nab a pair of ground balls.
 
UMass was led by a hat trick from Chris Connelly and identical statlines of two goals and one assist from Gabriel Procyk and Billy Philpott. Zack Hochman was 12-of-21 on faceoffs with 12 ground balls, and Matt Knote made 10 saves to earn the win in goal.
 
The Stags close out the opening stretch of the 2021 season on Wednesday, March 17 with a visit from crosstown foe Sacred Heart. Faceoff from Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium is slated for 7 p.m. The clash with the Pioneers will be Fairfield's fifth game in a two-week span. After a nine-day hiatus, the Stags will be back at Rafferty Stadium to resume CAA play against Hofstra on Friday, March 26 at 7 p.m.
 
Fairfield Men's Lacrosse home games are not open to the public this season. Click here to read Fairfield Athletics' limited attendance policy for the spring of 2021.